As a mom or dad have you ever uttered the words, "Because I said to do it and I am the parent. It doesn't matter that you don't want to, you still have to listen to me." Or something to that effect? I do ALL the time. You see, I was blessed with a particularly smart five year old, who is a first child, and believes that she knows everything better than me as most kids do. The problem with this child is, when she sees clearly, she is right 99% of the time - more often than I even am. :). I have often been heard to say "it's really not fair that God gave me two kids that are smarter than I am."
So, really, the only time I need to correct her point of view is when she is emotional. Being a five year old girl, that happens more often than not lately. She is struggling with managing her emotions versus doing the right thing....and I don't blame her. I struggle with it more often than not - and often wonder why God asked me to parent her in this part of her life when I cannot even do it myself.
The answer to that came about a year and a half ago when God embarked on a "crusade" to teach me what children and adults alike struggle with daily - obedience. All of a sudden, every Bible reading was filled with commands. "Go....preach...do not.." echoed in my head. In particular, God used a verse that I have always loved (Philippians 4:6) and chose to take me back to the chapter in the Bible where that verse is found. Philippians 4 is a beautiful passage, but on a closer look also a challenging one. God gives commands to "Rejoice in The Lord always..." and "Do not be anxious.." and (paraphrased) focus on what is good, right, pure... All of a sudden I was convicted. Do I worry? Yes. God says not to. Do I rejoice in Him ALWAYS? No. I more often forget that verse. Do I focus on what is good in my life? No. I tend to steam over whatever annoying or strange thing one of my children had done recently.
Whoa. Have you honestly taken stock of yourself in light of these verses? Convicting, challenging, molding...and discouraging. How am I supposed to see hope amongst these commands? I really don't FEEL like doing any of these, they sound like too much work. And that is where our amazing God chose to reveal something to me I had never REALLY seen before. God almost always follows up His commands with a promise. Take Philippians 4:6. God tells us to not be anxious and present our requests to Him and He will do what? Give us "grace and peace that transcends all understanding" which will "guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Go down to verse 8 and read what God tells you to focus on, and at the end of verse 9 it says if we do these things, "the God of peace will be with you".
Once I realized this, I started reading the Bible a totally different way. This isn't a book of rules as to what to do and not to do, it's a book chock full of promises. Amazing promises. And whether or not I FEEL like obeying these commands, when I do, I am promised His presence, His comforting peace, His divine protection. I don't know about you but when you see it this way, you WANT to obey rather than feeling commanded to do so.
So, while I will still struggle with my emotions as a fallen human, I am blessed with a perspective that has begun to transform my thinking. Emotions are a gift: warning signals that something is wrong, pleasure over a beautiful day...but should NEVER transcend intentional obedience....and the precious promises that spring from that obedience.
I don't know about you but that makes me a whole lot more likely to continue that lesson with my five year old. Maybe when she is older, she will have mastered the idea and see the value of intentional obedience and claiming His precious promises earlier than her mother did.
Being continually molded,
Sarah
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