MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

 

This week I've been thinking about seeking the best, for our children, ourselves, and the nation. That fits with the theme of a few months ago about the upward way - pressing on, moving toward heaven - drawing closer to God. As far as wanting the best for our children, we might look to the father in Luke chapter 15.

The younger son in the story, known as the prodigal, was wasteful, reckless, extravagant, uncontrolled. How did he get that way? We tend to idealize the father's love and forgiveness, but is it possible that the dad made some mistakes - as we do - in raising his young children. I Googled what modern parents desire for their kids, and some of the answers include wanting them to value themselves, be self-reliant and take risks. Plus here in America, we want freedom for all. Without modifiers, these efforts could result in a person with unwarranted self-confidence, rebellious tendencies, and a lack of coping skills. The list lacks long-term vision, values, boundaries, consequences, self-discipline, sacrifice, positive coping skills, and realism.

The resolution of the Prodigal Son was not when the party began, but when the father joyously welcomed him home. And the turning point that brought that about was when the son "came to his senses" and started thinking how much better off his father's hired men were than he was. He recognized that he'd sinned, was no longer worthy to be called a son, and determined to head home, asking to be a servant.

Another list of what's "best" for children could be wishing for them joy, happiness, fulfillment, and success. But does this mean in any way, by any means? Matthew 7:9-11 reads, "'What man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!'" The standard for "the best" is God as our Father.

C S Lewis in "The Problem of Pain" writes, "...we attach a trivial meaning to the word 'love,' and look on things as if man were the center of them.” What we call happiness is not the end God has in view. Lewis went on to write, “I do not think I should value much the love of a friend who cared only for my happiness and did not object to my becoming dishonest.” God, or any good friend, should want something better for us. Rules and directives are given for our own good. A friend of mine used the quote, "God loves you too much to leave you the way you are." His standard of good is much higher than we imagined. But like the Prodigal's father, God is not harsh; He allows us to learn from our mistakes, and waits for us to return, willing to serve.

Our current moral standards may come from comparing ourselves to another group or nationality or political persuasion. We find acceptable our culture's morality, and it seems we come off pretty good in comparison. But there's a difference in morality - what society allows - and ethics, which is seeking the right and the best. Morality changes through the years, but God never changes.

A recent Sunday school lesson highlighted Daniel, who served under a number of powerful leaders. Greatly disturbed by his own visions and dreams, here are some of the words Daniel prayed on behalf of his people. "'Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, ... we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances'" (Daniel 9:4-6).

Each of us stands before a holy God. We need to repent from our personal failings, and pray for our nation. To repent is to change directions, forsaking one way and choosing another. Also included is confession, admitting we're wrong, and accepting responsibility for what we've done. In addition, there should be genuine sorrow for sins and negligence, and distress over how short of His good we have fallen.

There's an old song that could be our prayer. "O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer; this is my constant longing and prayer. Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear." For anyone getting ready for heaven, there are changes that need to occur, and God wants to help us make them.

Genesis 1:27 tells us, "God created [us] in His own image" with a moral, spiritual, and intellectual essence. Since Adam and Eve's sin, each person born after that struggles with a fallen nature; but God's plan from the beginning was to send Jesus to deliver us. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18, we "...are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." Developing a Christ-like character gives us the heart, motivations, thoughts, words, and deeds that reflect who Jesus is. We're promised that, just as we once bore the image of Adam, we shall now carry the image of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:49).

Jesus said in John 15:4, "'Abide in Me, and I in you.'" We do this with humility, obedience, and surrender. What an offer, what a blessing.

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