Reading Judges 2 & 3 this morning I was struck by a thought I couldn’t escape. Ever have an idea, a notion come to mind that you KNOW applies to you, yet you scurry to find some way to direct it at everyone ELSE? Like, God wants to teach you something, pass on some new revelation in your life, but in your stubbornness, in your denial, you KNOW it’s for someone ELSE? That was my morning.
I have a tendency to grow frustrated with my children. Sometimes I just want to grab them and shake them and ask, “What are you thinking?”…wait, that didn’t quite capture the essence of the moment, let me try this, “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!?” That’s better.
I’ve come to realize that I set unfair expectations on my children. I want little adults. In my busyness I neglect to realize they are still DEVELOPING, still FORMING personalities, still DISCOVERING what it means to be alive. It’s unrealistic and unfair. I’M unfair.
In these first few chapters of Judges we read about the Israelites, God’s people, His CHOSEN people, and how they continually turn AWAY from God, screw up, get in a bad way, and then cry out for His help. Immediately, I started to think of my kids. God’s getting angry, growing frustrated with their disobedience and I’m like, “That’s right!” Like, I’m getting angry WITH God and FOR God…and He’s like, you arrogant jerk, I’m speaking to YOU!
Ever get that feeling like God’s punched you in the gut or smacked you in the face?
It stings…
But it’s good.
Now here’s where it gets good. As I continue reading I come across a line that is repeated over and over again, the Lord raised up “judges” or a “deliverer.” God actually intervened, He stepped down into our world to make things right, to set us free (as if Egypt, the wilderness, & the Promised Land were not enough!). But each time He did this the Israelites rebelled and went back to their old ways. I’m like, “Idiots!” God’s like, “YOU’RE the idiot!”
Man…
So, here I am, sitting on my couch wrestling and fighting with God. I’m deflecting and denying my part, my shortcomings, my struggles. FINALLY, God just makes it clear as day, “You’re frustrated with your kids, they continually rebel against you, but I’ve raised you up as a deliverer FOR them, to LEAD them, to HELP them. As I have delivered you, deliver them. As I have loved you, love them. As I have showered you with grace, shower them with grace.” Wow!
I wonder how many of us, as parents, neglect to fully grasp the significance of our role as a PARENT, a GUARDIAN, a MOTHER, a FATHER, a DELIVERER. I wonder how many of us need to stop pointing our finger and start opening our arms. I wonder how many of us need to say “I love you” and stop saying “I’m sick and tired…”
Parents, let today be the day you assume your role as a DELIVERER and follow God’s lead to set your children FREE.
I have a tendency to grow frustrated with my children. Sometimes I just want to grab them and shake them and ask, “What are you thinking?”…wait, that didn’t quite capture the essence of the moment, let me try this, “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!?” That’s better.
I’ve come to realize that I set unfair expectations on my children. I want little adults. In my busyness I neglect to realize they are still DEVELOPING, still FORMING personalities, still DISCOVERING what it means to be alive. It’s unrealistic and unfair. I’M unfair.
In these first few chapters of Judges we read about the Israelites, God’s people, His CHOSEN people, and how they continually turn AWAY from God, screw up, get in a bad way, and then cry out for His help. Immediately, I started to think of my kids. God’s getting angry, growing frustrated with their disobedience and I’m like, “That’s right!” Like, I’m getting angry WITH God and FOR God…and He’s like, you arrogant jerk, I’m speaking to YOU!
Ever get that feeling like God’s punched you in the gut or smacked you in the face?
It stings…
But it’s good.
Now here’s where it gets good. As I continue reading I come across a line that is repeated over and over again, the Lord raised up “judges” or a “deliverer.” God actually intervened, He stepped down into our world to make things right, to set us free (as if Egypt, the wilderness, & the Promised Land were not enough!). But each time He did this the Israelites rebelled and went back to their old ways. I’m like, “Idiots!” God’s like, “YOU’RE the idiot!”
Man…
So, here I am, sitting on my couch wrestling and fighting with God. I’m deflecting and denying my part, my shortcomings, my struggles. FINALLY, God just makes it clear as day, “You’re frustrated with your kids, they continually rebel against you, but I’ve raised you up as a deliverer FOR them, to LEAD them, to HELP them. As I have delivered you, deliver them. As I have loved you, love them. As I have showered you with grace, shower them with grace.” Wow!
I wonder how many of us, as parents, neglect to fully grasp the significance of our role as a PARENT, a GUARDIAN, a MOTHER, a FATHER, a DELIVERER. I wonder how many of us need to stop pointing our finger and start opening our arms. I wonder how many of us need to say “I love you” and stop saying “I’m sick and tired…”
Parents, let today be the day you assume your role as a DELIVERER and follow God’s lead to set your children FREE.
No comments:
Post a Comment