May 9, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“Find out what pleases the Lord.  Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 5.10; Ephesians 6.4)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

As fathers, and parents, commit themselves to bringing their children up “in the training and instruction of the Lord” there is that reflective moment when the accountability is in the parents’ commitment to being disciples themselves. Sometimes it is such a default mechanism to operate by the axiom “Do as I say and not as I do.” Our greatest strength, as adults and parents, is to recognize the testimony of our actions to uphold and impart the faith. I hear Paul declare “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by [the preaching/teaching] of the word of God.” (Romans 10.17) It is easy to ignore and overlook the active voice of “how we hear.” Good preaching is, in fact, the fruit of “good teaching.” I will never forsake the template understanding of “good” as “that which accomplishes the word and will of God.” It is clearly understood with that paradigm what evil is. It isn’t just about what we “say” is right and wrong but what aligns or misaligns with God’s “word and will.” God’s will was not merely walking around talking and speaking. God issued the Word, the Spirit heard and translated it into “good” works. Children know that not only do “actions speak louder than words” but actions speak the truth about the person who speaks the word. Therefore, are those who are “bringing up the children” walking out the talk they present? Do their words make straight the paths of the King? John the Baptizer was then “bringing up the current generation of Jews [regardless of age]” with the proclamation of Isaiah. That is the paradigm parents should hold themselves to as well. So, it is not merely telling kids what to do that is good parenting. It is setting the example, in spirit and in truth (in humility and in love) as well as in tenacity and integrity (authentic discipleship as exampled by Christ).

I know where I have missed the mark many times. Sadly, I see it more now than I did then and recognize that I missed out on that same process from my parents, so on and so forth. But I have an obligation to raise the concern now before another generation passes and pray that I will be able to disciple others with honest regret and sincere desire to move forward as that visionary leader whose guideline and vision is the very Word of God which Jesus walked out in His own life with His own children- His disciples.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit brought us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.