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Michael W. Smith Stresses Importance Of Family: ‘We Need Fathers’

Photo from Michael W. Smith

Michael W. Smith Stresses Importance Of Family: ‘We Need Fathers’

By Movieguide® Contributor

Contemporary Christian artist Michael W. Smith recently sat down with comedian John Crist for an episode of his podcast, NET POSITIVE, to talk about their faith and the importance of fathers. 

Smith shared that his relationship with God began when he was young, due to his parents’ own strong faith. As he got older, his relationship with God changed, and Smith started playing music in bars and doing drugs. 

“I thought I could play with the fire and I got burned,” Smith explained

Despite it all, his parents’ never turned their backs on him and continued to root for his success. 

“I think that’s the way God is, and people have a misconception of who God is because they think if you screw up, and all of a sudden you’ve got the rod and you’re in deep trouble,” Smith said. 

In 1979, Smith experienced a breakdown that left him crying on the floor. 

“I say this, and I know it’s true,” Smith shared. “Abba came and laid on the floor with me and I have not been the same since that night — I’m convinced it was because of the prayers from my mom and dad.”

The singer also spoke about the advice he has for people, especially musicians, who are struggling to keep their families together. 

“You got a lot of families that are falling apart,” Smith explained. “These guys and bands are on the road for 200 to 250 days out of the year and they got three kids. That ain’t gonna work. Not gonna work.”

He continued, “I think part of my role in the future is being a father, and boy, do I ever know this generation…especially this generation. And especially when I look at my genre, we need fathers.”

Smith has previously talked about the importance of fathers. Movieguide® reported:

Contemporary Christian artist Michael W. Smith issued a challenge to the Body of Christ to stand in the gap for fatherless families.

“We need a lot of surrogate dads. We have thousands of young men who need mentors, and I don’t think that’s the government’s job. I think it’s the Church’s job to mentor,” Smith told The Christian Post.

“It’s a crisis that we need to wake up to, realize that we’ve got to be a part of the solution, and we have the tools to be a solution and help. Let the Church rise up, and I’m pointing the finger right at me too,” Smith said.

Smith said some of the struggles of people rejecting God as a Father come from their personal experiences with their earthly fathers.

“They can’t quite grasp that He actually sings over you, and He dances over you. In all these promises of God [He says] how He wants to just father you,” Smith said.

“It’s a tricky thing to … be able to portray the truth,” Smith continued. “But you finally see people get it, and it’s like a light bulb goes off. And it’s a game-changer because you’ll never be able to walk into your full destiny until you know that you’re loved.”