I think about how much my children complain when they are made to follow the rules. Rules like going to bed on time or being home in time for dinner or doing home work and on and on.
They want to rebel against what to them are seemingly un-necessary rules. But that is because they don't see the bigger picture. They don't have the experience or insight to see beyond the moment, to see what the consequences of their choices would be.
The role of a father is to know when to protect them from a wrong choice... and when not to. When to fence them in so they are safe... and when to let them fail so they can gain the experience from their mistake. We only control their environment for so long; eventually they will go on their own. Eventually they will grow to an age where they must make their own choices.
There are decisions I must make as a parent that I know will cause anger or discomfort, but they are the decisions that shape them into the mold of who they are to become. My feelings of wanting to shelter or hide them from the pain are insignificant compared to the consequences of allowing them to go the wrong way.
Their perception is that, I am uncaring and inflexible in my position of authority. But nothing could be further from the truth. It pains me to correct or discipline them. But it must be done in order for them grow to their potential.
Chuck Swindol has said: “Words & reason do not shape character, consequences due.”
We as parents also have a Father. His role in our lives transcends the role we have in our children’s lives. But in order for us to grow to our potential He corrects and disciplines us just as we do our children. He often times denies us the things we desire because we can't see the harm it would bring. We often don't understand what He is doing because we don't see the bigger picture. We moan and groan and kick our feet, rebelling against the guidance of His divine hand.
If we don't want to be disciplined we need to do what He asks. And if want His blessing, we need to be in the middle of where He is working, not doing what we want and asking Him to bless our work.
In our jobs if we are furthering the purpose and mission of the company we work for then they reward, promote and empower us so that we can continue the good work we are doing.
It is the same with God.
If we are in the mainstream of His work He will reward and provide us with what we need to continue His good work. But if we go rouge and pursue our own interests, He has no interest in facilitating what is not of Him. If we are His, He has promised us salvation and protection from the evil one while meeting our needs, but for the rouge, after that you are on your own. Conversely, if we are in the middle of where He is working doing His will, not only does He provide all of the above, but He blesses us even more so that we can better carry out His work.
God holds our hand and guides us for as long as we will allow Him to. He corrects and disciplines us to mold us into the shape that best fits His guiding hand. We are under His tutelage only for as long as we decide to remain there. As we grow and mature in our walk we begin to see more clearly the footsteps of the one we follow. He has a specific purpose for each and every one of us. The closer we walk with the one we follow the closer we become to the center of the will He has for our life.
The greatest pain in my life comes from the moments when I realize how far away I am from how close He wants me to be.
They want to rebel against what to them are seemingly un-necessary rules. But that is because they don't see the bigger picture. They don't have the experience or insight to see beyond the moment, to see what the consequences of their choices would be.
The role of a father is to know when to protect them from a wrong choice... and when not to. When to fence them in so they are safe... and when to let them fail so they can gain the experience from their mistake. We only control their environment for so long; eventually they will go on their own. Eventually they will grow to an age where they must make their own choices.
There are decisions I must make as a parent that I know will cause anger or discomfort, but they are the decisions that shape them into the mold of who they are to become. My feelings of wanting to shelter or hide them from the pain are insignificant compared to the consequences of allowing them to go the wrong way.
Their perception is that, I am uncaring and inflexible in my position of authority. But nothing could be further from the truth. It pains me to correct or discipline them. But it must be done in order for them grow to their potential.
Chuck Swindol has said: “Words & reason do not shape character, consequences due.”
We as parents also have a Father. His role in our lives transcends the role we have in our children’s lives. But in order for us to grow to our potential He corrects and disciplines us just as we do our children. He often times denies us the things we desire because we can't see the harm it would bring. We often don't understand what He is doing because we don't see the bigger picture. We moan and groan and kick our feet, rebelling against the guidance of His divine hand.
If we don't want to be disciplined we need to do what He asks. And if want His blessing, we need to be in the middle of where He is working, not doing what we want and asking Him to bless our work.
In our jobs if we are furthering the purpose and mission of the company we work for then they reward, promote and empower us so that we can continue the good work we are doing.
It is the same with God.
If we are in the mainstream of His work He will reward and provide us with what we need to continue His good work. But if we go rouge and pursue our own interests, He has no interest in facilitating what is not of Him. If we are His, He has promised us salvation and protection from the evil one while meeting our needs, but for the rouge, after that you are on your own. Conversely, if we are in the middle of where He is working doing His will, not only does He provide all of the above, but He blesses us even more so that we can better carry out His work.
God holds our hand and guides us for as long as we will allow Him to. He corrects and disciplines us to mold us into the shape that best fits His guiding hand. We are under His tutelage only for as long as we decide to remain there. As we grow and mature in our walk we begin to see more clearly the footsteps of the one we follow. He has a specific purpose for each and every one of us. The closer we walk with the one we follow the closer we become to the center of the will He has for our life.
The greatest pain in my life comes from the moments when I realize how far away I am from how close He wants me to be.
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