As You Are Going...

Sunday was one of my favorite days of the year at Mill Creek Church. I got to hand out Bibles to the new First Grade students. It is always fun to see the pride and joy they have at having a “real” Bible with all the stories they have heard at home and at church. They will learn to read and as they look deeper and deeper into God’s Word over the years to come, they will begin to get a glimpse of what it means to truly follow God right into eternity.

The last message Jesus gave to his disciples before he ascended to heaven would have been nothing less than the most important directive to help His followers do that very thing. He had spent 3 years teaching them to trust when there was nothing tangible to build that trust upon; to love when there would be no love returned; to serve others and honor them above themselves; to communicate with their Heavenly Father always; to place their relationship with God above all others. Now was the time to give His parting wisdom. It was time to tell them how they would remain in His presence, even though He would no longer be with them physically.

So, let’s take a breath here and consider if it is important to read further. Have you determined that you want to be a disciple, a follower, of Jesus? Are you learning to place your trust in Someone that you don’t always understand? Is God’s Word the foundational Truth upon which you are building your life? Do you truly desire to follow Jesus and allow Him to use His power and divine authority to transform you into His likeness?  If you answered “Yes” then read on.

Finding myself in the “yes” category, I want to know what Jesus had to say, so I read on in Matthew 28: 19-20.  “So as you are going, you are to make disciples of all people…”  This is probably the best passage in the New Testament on parenting. It is not unlike the wisdom and direction found in the instructions God gave to His people centuries before Jesus ever came as man into our world. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 is part of the scripture that all those who worshiped God would have known by heart…

“The commandments I give you today must be in your hearts. Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up.

As you are going… everywhere you go… no matter where you find yourself… be sure that you are living in such a manner that, as your children observe your heart, they want what you have… a growing relationship with your Maker. That is the very best way to “make disciples of all people” beginning with the ones who live under your roof. Teaching the 10 Commandments doesn’t make disciples. Living with them in your heart, does. Teaching the Lord’s Prayer doesn’t make disciples. Living with a heart that communicates with God, does.  Going to church doesn’t make disciples. Living with the message of the Church in your heart, does.

Mom and Dad, ask yourself this: “Is my relationship with God appealing to my kids? Is it transforming me into His image? Will they desire to become followers of Jesus because of what they witness in my life and in my relationships? Am I living in His peace?

We all have our good days and the days that we just hope nobody was watching or listening. But, overall, where do you stand? Are you investing time in Word of God and sharing that truth with your children? Are you asking God to prune you and transform you into a growing, thriving, trusting, loving person that will help your kids find their way to God? Do your words and actions bring glory to God?

Ask for God to give you the wisdom and strength to walk so closely to Him that “as you are going” your kids can’t miss finding Him as they follow you.