The Impact Of A Spiritual Father

The Impact of a Spiritual Father

Three-time Super Bowl champion coach Joe Gibbs speaks of a time when as an assistant football coach at the University of Arkansas, he found a spiritual father. This man, who managed a J. C. Penney department store and had very little athletic prowess, walked with God. His name was George Tharel.

George taught an adult Sunday school class at his church and had a tremendous impact on Gibbs. In my interview with Coach Gibbs, he said of his spiritual father, “George had a huge impact on me. . . . He took me under his wing. After I left Arkansas, we would talk every week, and I knew George was directed by the Lord, because he came from a completely different world and yet would say things to me where I knew that God had to have told him this.”

What if the next Joe Gibbs is in your life and you are to be his George Tharel? Do you have a walk with God that would influence that young person to become as grounded and influential as Joe Gibbs? Can others seek counsel from you and know that you are clearly directed by the Lord?

Genesis 6:9 says of Noah, “This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.” Walk with God and listen to his voice. There is no telling the impact you will have.

This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.

Genesis 6:9