It is amazing how easily we are distracted from God's Presence. As born-again Christians,born of the Spirit of God, we are given the incredible privilege of enjoying God's Presence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Yet we so rarely connect with Him. We are so often unaware of His Presence. Our focus is on the natural realm with our lists of things to do, the noise of children, and the pressure of success. We can sometimes go an entire week (or longer) without praying for the children in our care; without inquiring of God as to how to teach or raise them; without seeking Him concerning difficulties that arise. No wonder Christian homes and teachers often appear much the same as the world! We have forgotten who we are and Who lives in us!
Spirit-led teaching and parenting is scriptural. When we read of the influence the Holy Spirit is to have in and through our lives, it includes our homes and places of employment. He is to be a part of EVERYTHING. We are to in constant fellowship with Him, allowing Him to teach us, guide us, reveal His activity and conversation to us, empower us, and manifest His glory through us. While we may realize this when at church, on a mission trip, or on our job in a secular institution, we often forget when with our children at home. We try to teach or raise them FOR God, instead of allowing Him to teach or raise them THROUGH/WITH us. There's a big difference.
While raising my own children, I experienced seasons of overwhelming hopelessness. I would see my children struggling and be unable to help them. I read books, sought counsel, and did everything I could to bring change - yet usually failed to see any lasting difference. However, when I finally reached the end of human effort and sought God for intervention, everything changed! Break-through followed His revelation and direction every time. God knows ALL and knew exactly how to bring change in each circumstance. If only I had learned to go to Him FIRST! If only I had learned earlier to wait on Him for revelation and instruction rather than wasting so many hours developing "rescue plans" of my own!
As teachers and parents, we can be burdened by the needs of our children. The world is not always kind. The spiritual warfare is real. The distractions are innumerable. Our children don't need OUR wisdom, counsel, or help. They need GOD! They need a Word or touch from Him. They need the supernatural strength, ability, and intervention only He can give. They will struggle less and experience change more quickly when we allow God to guide their circumstances.
I am challenging us as parents (grandparents, too!) and teachers to WALK in the Spirit. In Galatians 5 we are asked to go beyond just living in the Spirit (in the life-giving Spirit of God Who dwells in us), but also to walk in the Spirit. We are to be focused and aware of Him at all times. We are to bring His Lordship and life-giving Presence into everything we do. Let us begin to pray His will for the children entrusted to us. Let us begin to seek His counsel and wisdom before we give advice or direction to their lives. Let us seek His guidance and creativity so that they are able to hear and experience Him, too.
Who is with me? (Comment on this post below...)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
This is so true. My husband and I were just talking about order in the home and I expressed my frustration with the pace of life. The blog above is an answer to prayer for wisdom from God about how to bring order to our everyday.
I am about to return to work full time and the scripture I was given to stand on is 2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me'My grace is sufficient for you,for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. "
As I have meditated on this scripture and studied over the past couple weeks I realized my weakness is trying to do things on my own. This fact is what is causing any fear and anxiety about going back to work.Letting go of control and and letting someone else raise my child was almost too much to bear. My mindset up until God gave me revelation in this scripture was "when it gets to much to handle, I'll call on God." For some reason I thought that I was bothering him if I called on him all the time! ridiculous huh. So as I face the struggle of returning back to work and having "other people raise my daughter"
God has reassured me that even if I was a stay at home mom, I would not be the one "raising" her but he would. So technically, someone else already is raising my daughter and it's really not a good idea to try fighting Him.
Just as he would work through me to raise her, he will use others as well. SO... i confess my weakness, I can't and never will be able to do it on my own, I can't even breathe without the help and will of God to give me breath, who am I kidding. So when it comes to teaching and raising children by the Spirit of God, do what Paul did, confess and boast about your weakness so that God's power can be perfected in the raising of your child. When the power of Christ does rest on you, how much better of a mom can you be.
I know I don't have children and it may be several years before we do, but it is such good insight for the future in my case. My heart has been warming up to the idea of having children and I don't think that you are ever 'ready' to have them but you can let God prepare you for it by walking in His Spirit now... and when the time is right, do the same when children arrive :O)
Post a Comment