I was thinking the other day about a common phrase that we tell our young children today: "You can be anything you want to be!" It's funny that we tell our children that even though I'm not sure we could be lying to them. Let me plead my case. From early on we encourage our children to pursue greatness. We say things like:"Reach for the stars"
"Put your mind to it and you will succeed."
"Don't let anyone stand in your way."
"Don't let anyone tell you you aren't good enough." and the one that sparked this whole thought "You can be anything you want to be!" I, being very passionate about what I do, feel head over heals in love with the statement, work hard enough and you will get there. Put in your time and you will reap the rewards. The cream always rises to the top. Yet, so far in my life, I'm seeing something awfully different. I'm not so sure that this is unbiblical and not a wise thing to tell our children.
First, let me state that the development of a children's work ethic and dedication to what he does is of utmost importance. Colossians 3:23 states "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" Whatever your hand finds to do, do it well. That isn't my point though. I guess I'm asking why waste your time doing what won't have lasting importance? Why set your kids up to believe what probably wasn't even true for you as a child? Not that we should keep our children from failing, or falling, but giving them the rock bottom understanding that life as christian doesn't always measure up to what we were told we could be someday. I don't hear any submission in those all to common phrases. How does a child learn to submit to God's plan. We start with the attitude that it is all about our wanting and our desires, and our will when the christian life has nothing to do with that. It is the exact opposite. Christ tells us to die to ourselves. And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
I love how the Message puts it: Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God." Luke 9:23-27
I'm sure just like a lot of things we say as Christians, we don't really mean it that way. Just like "Good Luck", "Knock on Wood", "It's my destiny", etc... are some of the common things I'm not so sure we should be saying. It seems to me that we leave out the sovereignty of God when we say things like of this sort. I do believe we should be careful of the words that we say. They do mean something, usually a feeling or a mindset about a situation. If you truly believed that God had everything under his control and that everything passes through his hands, then why in the world would we tell our children "don't say that, or it might come true." How arrogant are we?
I suggest this. Maybe we should push our kids to understand God. Understand how He works, how He operates, what He wants for us. We need to train our kids from the early stages that it isn't about them. They aren't the authors of their story, no matter what the world tells you. God is the creator and giver of life. He is sovereign and in control of all things. "But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?" Romans 9:20-21 He has a plan that you would not go after the things of this world and would turn to Him to supply you with all you need. To die to ourselves daily and fight through that struggle everyday. To do exactly the opposite of what they see on television everyday. It's not about what you want to be. That is so sinful it isnt funny. All that will get you is joylessness, even if you somehow reach want you wanted to be. It won't ever make you truyly joyful, so why waste your life going after it. Do we see enough about what getting everything you want on this earth can do. The damage it can bring your self as well as others around you. Just turn on the television and you'll see the destruction that Satan is causing. All the money in the world and the most unhappy people you will ever find. I'm coming to realize that the Christian life is about stripping yourself of the pleasure of this world because of the pleasures that are to come. "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." Hebrews 13:14 Deny the flesh, the desires, fighting the American dream, giving of yourself, wanting what God wants. Then our children will find true happiness. Not pain, not mediocrity, not comfort, but joy true joy.
JTH
