Missing the Bus

We live in a culture that is ridiculously busy. We often talk about how much overtime we

have or how hard we work with pride in our voice and smugness in our demeanor. With this, we pass this “work ethic” onto our children and ultimately teach them to do as much as possible. Some pass this off as teaching their children a good “work ethic” when in truth, I fear that we are teaching our children that success is characterized by how busy a person can become.

 Education is a priority and eating your vegetables is a priority. Providing for your family is a priority. We teach our kids that team practices and games are a priority so as to teach them dedication. Where does God fit in all of this? I do not mention all of this in order to demonize sports or jobs, but to glorify the use of moderation and priority.

 In youth group, we have been talking about Authentic Faith: If you believe that God really is the Son of God and really died on the cross for your sins which separate you from Him, how could you NOT have an evident change in your life and be telling everyone you know this news? Many of our students had their eyes opened and began to question what their life reflected. This also sparked questions of my own faith and the curiosity of how adult congregants would react given this question.

The famed magician and professed atheist Penn Jilette has questioned the authenticity of the Christian faith by stating, “If you believe there is a heaven and hell, and you think it’s not worth telling someone about it, how much do you have to hate him to not proselytize (evangelize)? To believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell people? If you knew someone was going to get hit by a bus, would you not do everything you could to push them out of the way?” Amen Penn. This quote hit me like a ton of bricks. Especially as a parent. I love my kids more than life itself. I want them to succeed and I want to keep them safe. I want them to have a relationship with God, give their whole heart to God, and to grow up to teach their families the same. Where I falter is in wondering if I am giving my whole heart in showing them authentic faith. Am I placing priority on their spiritual health?

In all of the busyness, are we fitting God into the core values of our families or have we become so busy teaching our children to be busy? If I saw a bus headed in Noah or Elliot’s direction I would not simply yell out, “Hey, you might want to watch out for that bus.” I would lay my life down for my sons. I would do everything possible to get them to safety.

For my boys, I want to teach them to take the time to rest; that family devotional time is a priority. I want to instill that the time we take together to unplug and thank God for the blessings He has given is the most important part of our day. When Noah, my 12 year old, wakes in the morning for school, he does not have an option to not go to school unless he is sick. When he is sick, I take him to the doctor because I love him and want him healthy. When it is Sunday morning and it is time for church and Sunday night and time for youth group, Noah does not have the option to not go, nor will he or Elliot ever have this option, because I love them and I want people to sow into their life and teach them their wisdom when it comes to doing life with God as the lead.

 Though many may struggle to hear this message, call me a “helicopter parent,” it is one that I find so important to address for the sake of all parents. Are we truly instilling in our children that we believe in God the way that we say we do? That we believe God is the most important part of their life and for that, we would lay our life down to show them this kind of faith?

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13