We have looked at some challenging topics in recent weeks:
Facebook, Schoolwork and Gaming.
Now I want to take the next several posts to focus on the
wonder of Christ. Parenting is a demanding and draining calling. The tendency
of our flesh is to fall into a routine and then to count on that routine to
keep us on track. While there is value in routine, it must not drive your
parenting. To present the wonder of Christ to your children, regardless of
their age, Christ himself must be a wonder to you.
Ephesians 3:14-21 will help you to see the awesome wonder of
Christ. Too often, this passage is seen as a summary statement, or
inspirational thoughts, but it is not seen as practical help for day-to-day
living. I would submit that just the opposite is true. Take some time to
consider this passage in light of the parenting challenges you face each day.
Parenting is warfare. You have an enemy that does not want to lose any of his
combatants to the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 2:1-3). Don’t be deceived—only the
wonder of Christ will sustain you in this battle.
For this reason I kneel before the Father,
from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that
out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit
in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together
with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love
of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be
filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at
work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, for ever and ever!
Amen (Ephesians 3:14-21).
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Thanks for this encouragement, Jay!