June 16, 2018

What Are You Teaching?

“What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” – Matthew 20:21

The mother of James and John wanted what all parents want for their children. She wanted her sons to be in positions of power and honor when Jesus gained His kingdom. She wanted her sons to be first over the other disciples and all other followers of Jesus.

She really didn’t know what she was asking. Jesus pointed that out. Besides, positions in heaven are determined by God the Father. It doesn’t stop us from trying to get ahead though, does it?

You don’t have to be a parent to want the children you care about to succeed and excel at all they do. You’ll do anything to position them in the right place, with the right people, with the right resources for high achievement.

We teach them that they are worthy of the best. We tell them that they deserve success. And we show them that if they’ll just go along, we’ll make sure they get it served up for them on a silver platter.

Did anyone sputter over that? All defensive parents please raise your hand. Now, go ahead and remind me that I don’t have children and I don’t know how much you love your children. I just don’t understand.

When you’re done, I will remind you that Jesus tells us to serve others rather than be served. I will remind you that in God’s kingdom, the first will be last and the last will be first. And I will remind you that sometimes the worst thing you can do for anyone is carry them rather than have them stand on their own and learn how to live a righteous life.

There was a Facebook thing the other day that said something like this: Discipline your children and spoil your grandchildren. Spoil your children and raise your grandchildren. There’s a great deal of truth in that.

There’s a huge difference between helping someone and enabling them. People of all ages must learn that actions have consequences. It’s the only way anyone learns to make wise choices.

But we don’t want those we care about, especially the children in our lives, to ever suffer the consequences of their bad choices. Especially when the consequences are severe. We want to protect them from the bad. That’s natural. But when we do that we teach them something that isn’t the reality of life. Are we then truly surprised when they fail adulthood?

Parents are meant to guide and protect their children from harm. That doesn’t mean do everything for them and keep them from ever having to suffer for bad choices. We are raising children who feel entitled. I know. Not all children. Not your children. But are you sure?

I have watched friends do without basics so their children can have the latest phone, shoes and clothing. I have watched friends work second and third jobs to provide luxuries, while their children sit at home and play games. The kids are oblivious to the sacrifices their parents are making. Or, maybe, they just don’t care.

James and John’s mother only wanted the best for her sons. She didn’t understand the price they would pay. Jesus did. Do you understand the price your children will pay if you don’t teach them and guide them through childhood, refusing to save them from everything or providing you can’t afford and they really don’t need?

Kids are smart and observant and quick to learn. But it’s up to us to teach them the right way to live.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Political Rhetoric Misses The Point

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, 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 20:25-28

Okay. It’s official. I am beyond tired of the political rhetoric and I want us to all vote and go home. Oh, and shut up. I really want us to all go to our rooms and have a time out. Seriously.

This political debate raging in our country -- and I’m not talking about the debate Wednesday night between the two candidates -- has really gotten out of hand. Choosing one or the other candidate doesn’t mean either is endorsed by God.

We forget sometimes that Jesus is neither a Democrat or Republican. He’s not a member of the Tea Party either. The Son of Man came to serve. He represents God. So should any political leader we consider.

We get so caught up in the rhetoric and the sound bites that we forget what’s really important. We’re so determined to make a difference in our own pocketbooks that we can’t see beyond them. That’s true of both sides, by the way.

Certainly we should pray for our leaders. And we should ask God to choose the right candidate based on His standards and not our own. Because God looks at the things of the heart, not the outward appearance or the latest poll numbers.

But we also shouldn’t expect one man -- one very human man -- to fix everything all by himself. No matter who is elected, he must work with Congress, with other world leaders, with the public, to create the kind of country we all want to live in.

That means that everyone has to do his or her part. We keep looking to government to put God back in our lives when we really should be doing it for ourselves. Are your children learning about Jesus in your home? Are they learning to follow the Ten Commandments by observing you? What are you showing your neighbors and co-workers about Jesus?

It’s just so easy to fight it out with empty political promises from people we’ve never met. It’s not so easy to look in the mirror and admit that we aren’t doing our part to make things right.

I’ll be glad when the election is over and we can get back to normal, whatever that is. We’ll still be fussing and pointing fingers but at least maybe it won’t be so nasty. Our country doesn’t hinge on the back of one individual. We’ll get back to where we need to be when our citizens start focusing their individual lives back on God, the way our Founding Fathers always intended.