My last few post have been more what I struggle with and I don’t want people think that I am in a depressed state. Quite the opposite I feel really good with my walk with Christ and take a conscience effort and am quite successful in doing the right thing most of the time. I am proud of my walk and am proud of my successes and celebrate them often. The key is to have a good balance between the two different sides of the spectrum. Thinking you are perfect and having the “Big Head” syndrome is just as bad as feeling unworthy (which is from the Devil) and horrible about our sins. So this post is going to be more uplifting.
Years ago I heard an amazing sermon by Greg Sidders,
called, “Not another sermon on how to be a better Dad” he explained how most
sermons during Father’s Day consisted of a checklist on how to do a better job
as a father, where the opposite is true on Mother’s Day where we lift up moms
on how wonderful they are. The sermon focused on how dads do a great job and
look a lot like Christ to the kids. The more I listened and was lifted up I realized
all parents look a lot like Christ to their children. I am steeling some of the
things he talked about in that sermon. (Points
1 and 5 were what he mentioned in his sermon)
We look a lot like God to our children when:
1.
We provide- As it says in Matthew 6:25
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and
the body more than clothes?” Parents work hard for making sure they have food
and shelter. When kids don’t worry about those things that means you look a lot
like Christ to your children who don’t worry about where their next meal is
coming from.
2.
Sacrifice- We give up so much for our children,
most of the time they never know how much we do give up for them and that is
ok, they will know when they grow up and realize that you were a lot like
Christ to them.
3.
Security- just like it says in Jeremiah 33:6
“‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people
and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.’” Our children feel safe
and without thinking about it, and thus you look like Christ.
4.
Discipline- No one likes discipline when it
happens, however looking back when I was growing up, I look at the discipline
my parents gave me with fondness. Whether it was a spanking, privileges taken
away, or grounding, I am thankful that they loved me enough to correct me. The words
in the bible say in the book of Hebrews, chapter 12 verse 6 ” because the Lord
disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Our
kids may say they hate us during a punishment, the truth is that we look a lot
like Christ and will thank us and appreciate the efforts we took to discipline
them.
5.
We stay- Just like the verse at the top of the
blog says, “WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR
FORSAKE YOU” when you truly believe that it is what comforts us. When our
children never think about it either parent leaving they are more secure,
confident and successful.
6.
Unconditional Love- We will love our kids no
matter what, and we tell them that over and over that no matter what they do we
will love them. That is 100% like Christ tells us.
Lord thank you for the amazing example in Jesus. Thank
you for giving me a heart to follow his example. Thank you for keeping me balanced
with wanting to improve in the areas I need to but also celebrating when I
succeed in following you. In Jesus name, Amen.
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