Families in Christ
What are a parent’s goals when it comes to their children? Depending on who you ask, this question will yield a variety of answers based on individual priorities. When it comes down to our faith, however, I think we can all agree on which goal is most important. Our number one job as parents is to make sure we point our children in the direction of eternal life with God in heaven. I know from personal experience that our own involvement with God will greatly determine the type of relationship our children have with Him. One of the greatest examples on this subject is found in the book of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (NKJV)
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Moses instructed us to prepare our children for their own spiritual journeys with God. As much as we want our children to develop their own identity in life, we must remember that if it does not include God they may grow to detest Him. Without the Lord, our children will be in danger of leading a misdirected life. I believe the Psalmist wrote it best when he used a bow and arrow as an example of how we can point our children in the right direction.
Psalm 127:3-5 (NKJV)
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
We hold the bow in our hands, and the arrows in the quiver are our children. It is our responsibility to aim those arrows at the only target that counts: God. The closer we are standing to God, the better our chance of hitting the bulls eye. Let us instill God into our children while they are young and willing to listen. If we teach them well at an early age, they will appreciate it later on in life when they have kids of their own. Remember the words of Paul:
Ephesians 6:1-4 (NKJV)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Adrian
