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Sacrificing Our Children
by: Rebecca Blevins
A few weeks ago, I asked each of our four children what they thought a
sign or a quality of a godly family might be. The responses varied, but
all were correct. One said, "a positive atmosphere, peaceful and
cooperative." Another responded quickly saying, "obedient children."
The third said, "putting God first and loving each other" and
the youngest said, "Doing what Mommy and Daddy say."
Two votes for obedient children were music to my ears. I also found it
interesting that none of them said anything about money, toys, or any
other earthly or material things. If these answers are correct, and I
believe they are, then why are so many of today's families run ragged
with all of the endeavors and activities they've committed to? Everyone
speaks of not enough hours in a day and can't wait for the weekend to
rest, then they usually do more running-back-and-forth from sporting event
to gymnastics classes, etc.
Oh, we are definitely sacrificing our children. But for
what? The praise of men or academic awards? Most of us have read the text
in the Bible in Genesis 22, which describes the unbelievable story of
Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. That has to be some
kind of an “Old Testament” mind set. Surely, God does not
expect that exact behavior from us. Or does He?
All too often, we have been told that Bible stories are just that, stories.
God doesn't mean us to take them literally, right? Let us investigate
God's intent. If we believe the Bible is for us today, then we are bound
to live by it. That means obedience—not legalistic obedience, but
obedience from the heart. God's love does have conditions. They are called
instructions, guidelines, and yes, laws. The sacrifice of His Son, once
it is accepted, provides unconditional salvation, but His true love requires
a certain type of response - a response of devotion of our hearts to Him.
So, what does a
devoted heart have to do with sacrificing our children? Well, we learn
devotion through answered prayer. Many times, I have solved my children's
problems myself, by calling their teacher if I disagreed with a decision
she made, or I talked with a neighbor child who was picking on my child.
I have responded in many different ways to many different trials. Rarely
have I responded to my children's problems by taking my child to God on
their knees in prayer and teaching him or her to give God the problem.
I did not have the faith in the Father, myself. I was afraid His answer
would be NO, or something else I did not want to hear.
Through this response, I taught my children to run to me with their problems
instead of to God. I may not have hurt their relationship or fellowship
with God, but I certainly did not strengthen it. Matthew 6:33 provides
the mission statement for all Christians, "But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"
(NIV).
Why don't we take this verse literally? Because we are afraid. We have
seen people who have given up everything for God and it seems excessively
hard. We want to keep control of our children and ourselves. We want to
solve all the problems, so that we can work everything out the way we
want them. However, what are we really teaching our children? Are we teaching
them to seek God and his kingdom first? On the other hand, are we teaching
them to seek their own goals and desires first and add God in later for
a quick blessing?
The connection of a devoted heart and sacrifice is also the true definition
of "seek ye first." It is applauding, celebrating, honoring,
praising, and exalting the Father and His Son Jesus Christ for everything
you have and everything you do. Then, everything will be abundantly added
to you and your children. ***
Taken from the Christian Beacon
