lives in the eyes of the world. However, many of us will father “great” young men and women. Whether your kid grows up to be a teacher, an employee or the leader of a nation, your responsibility and mine remains the same. We each have an opportunity to instil in our kids the tools they’ll need to become great people in their own right. This is perhaps even more important when we consider “true greatness” in the way Jesus defined it. Fred Trump Sr’s version of greatness perhaps could be described in terms of material wealth or political power—however you’d prefer to see it. Jesus sees it differently: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26–28). Perhaps your child will grow up to be a world leader. Even if they don’t, they will still have an opportunity for greatness—in their home, their workplace, their community. True greatness, as Jesus defines it, doesn’t require human power—but a humble, others-centred perspective. What your kids do in life is their choice. How they turn out while they’re doing that, in large part, depends on the example you set for them. What’s frightening, though, is that the reverse is also true. It doesn’t matter what you think of Donald Trump or Joe Biden politically—each serves as a contrast for what fatherhood can do. Biden has been accused of being too “weak”. Conversely, Trump has projected the image of a “strong man”, being accused of inciting violence against those he opposes, either politically or ideologically. Both are the result of the example set for them by their dads. All we can do is be the best we can for our kids right now, hoping that what we instil in them today will serve them well tomorrow. You never know: perhaps the stories your nation’s leader will tell in 40 years’ time will be about you. If they do, what kinds of stories would you want them to tell? Jesse Herford is a pastor and associate editor for the Australia/New Zealand edition of Signs of the Times. He lives in Canberra, Australia with his wife, newborn daughter and their miniature schnauzer, Banjo. 1. . 2. . . 3. . 4. . 5. . 6. Donald Trump, Bill Zanker: Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life. HarperCollins US: 2010. 7. . 8. . 9. . 10. . SEPTEMBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM 37