I want to take the opportunity to further explain a couple of comments I made in class today in case I didn't fully explain my position. First, when we were discussing making a difference, I commented that I don't believe that that is our calling. What I should have expounded upon is that I believe that we are called to follow Christ's example. Throughout the New Testament the authors explain that our mission is to live our lives in a way that emulates Christ in as much as our humanly bodies allow. As a result of that discipleship, we will in fact make a difference. An analogy would be those baseball players who try and smack homeruns every at-bat. In actuality, probably the most effective strategy would be to advance the runners by simply getting a single or double. The inning stays alive and runners may score. Those that swing for the fences typically strike out, pop out, or ground out. They rarely hit the ball cleanly. Likewise, if we just take what opportunities God places before us the Spirit will guide us appropriately. We don't have to try and make a difference--just be what we are called to be. God will take care of the seeds that we drop along the path he leads us along.
Secondly, we discussed decoding our kids this morning. Many in our class either do not have children or have grown children. However, we all engage with kids in our daily lives, some at work, others in their extended families, and still others in their neighborhoods and churches. Children are God's precious creations. Even convicts and prisoners have a code of conduct as it pertains to children--if you catch my drift. We are the children's caretakers and as such are called to affect their outcome. I agree with Lucado, after having children of my own, that they are pre-wired. We simply must help them find how best to utilize their components.
That being said, I'm still waiting on that book. There is a fine line between encouraging them to maximize their own strengths and passions and pushing them in a direction we wish them to pursue. Prayer and wise counsel will assist in those endeavors, one of those we will address in the upcoming book.
I welcome all comments.
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2 comments:
Absolutely agree with you Brad on the singles versus home runs. I have wrestled with the "make a difference" statement for quite a while. Another thought, just having an "at bat" is what we are called to respond to when God places us in the batter's box. Even a strikeout can be part of his plan
No doubt, George. To take that analogy even another step further, the t-ball team I coached this year incorporates a rule that every kid must have an at-bat every inning. We all get at-bats every inning and God wants us all to be prepared(prayer, fellowship, scripture reading, etc.) to blast a home run, but that wihtin the framework of His plan, we may strike out. I recall a baseball game I played in 7th grade. The coach came up to me and told me to strike out on purpose. We were down about 3 runs and had someone on base already. I was completely despondent that he didn't trust meto get on base. However, I struck out on 3 consecutive pitches. He explained to me after the inning that the game would be called to due a time limit had we not started the next inning. He said he completely trusted me, but wasn't sure about thenext couple of guys coming to bat. The game continued one more inning and we won the game. To your point, God may need us to strike out sometimes to ultimately win. Thanks George!
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