4-years old and on fire for God, who can say that isn’t a great thing?
It’s all find and dandy until your son starts to push the small parameters of your own faith.
Then things start getting sticky.
Just yesterday, although this certainly is not the first time, he ran up to me saying, “See those kids playing over there? I am going to ask them if they know God. Is that ok mommy?”
He loves to do this. He tells them about God. About Jesus. About the bible (like I said, he loves God).
Shouldn’t I be happy?
Yet, my first reaction is often:
Their mom is going to hate me.
My son is going to get hurt one day.
I am going to feel embarrassed.
Part of me wants to protect him from feeling alone and cornered for what he believes.
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Tim. 3:12
Part of me thinks that I must protect his faith and his feelings, like a mother bird guards a nest.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 Cor. 16:13
Part of me wants to protect myself from how his words and Christianity make me feel.
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mk. 8:38
But this kid and my “self”, don’t even belong to me,they belong to God,
so how can I let them rule me?
God is the only one in control
and it is his Word and his will that will rule, reign and refine forever.
My efforts are fruitless; his Word is fruitful.
I don’t want my heart boiling with the fire of God
while my actions are cool with the complacency of social correctness.
I don’t think that is cool with God.
So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–
I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Rev. 3:16
How can God’s Word slice and dice broken hearts
into powerful, new and free creations
when we tremble over the cutting process?
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mk. 16:15
Perhaps, God is calling us to see the world, much through the same eyes of my 4-year old.
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Mt. 18:3
Through eyes that see:
A world needing the joy and love that he knows.
Friends who we want to meet in heaven.
People in need of Jesus.
My son doesn’t seem to care too much about the smiles, the cordial greetings or the good gossip spoken over him, but simply the heart that stands before him.
He seems to have not been jaded yet.
Somewhere along the way though, I have.
I have let people’s opinions become as valuable as gold,
while letting God’s standard go beneath the fold.
Have you?
Perhaps instead, we refine our first thoughts to ask, “Do they know Jesus?”
Of course, it may not be the first question we ask, but perhaps now we will recognize it as their first need. Then we can ask ourself, “How might I first speak Jesus into their heart?”
To internalize this question is to verbalize life-defining words that endure the test of time.
Did you like “Are you Ashamed of the Gospel?” Get more Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.
Linking with Holley Gerth and Jennifer Dukes Lee.
Are you a blogger, don’t miss yesterday’s #RaRalinkup.
Isn’t it amazing how a child can remind us of what we are to be doing? May he never lose that compulsion to share his faith. And thank you for reminding us to share our faith in the midst of our everyday activities.
My kids teach me all the time. I hope and pray he is as fearless and courageous as he is today!
I have found this scenario to be true with my own children. They want to know if people are Christians, even some of our family members. I get nervous when this come up because I fear if the kids ask the person they may not get such a nice response. It’s the whole mother bird thing. I need to get out of the way and let God do his work through them, he doesn’t need me hovering!
Visiting from Coffee For Your Heart
I know. You don’t want them injured. It’s funny how we feel we have to be the protectors, meanwhile God is probably like, “Don’t worry, I’ve got them.” Lord, help Sarah and I to trust you more and more.
I love this. Please reach out and hug your son for me.
What a lesson for today’s devotion!
Thanks Kelly, I appreciate the power and truthfulness intoday’s devotion.
Many Blessings to you and loads of hugs to your son.
Thank you Ifeoma. I am glad that it is speaking. Much love to you and thank you for reading and commenting today. It’s a gift.
Wow! What a beautiful example your son sets for us, Kelly. Thank you for sharing this. Oh, to become as a little child!
May we see and think with the simplicity they have. Amen Trudy.
I love it when kids challenge the faith of us adults. My daughter (especially my 7-year old) is night-and-day different from me. She is so bold and unrestrained in her passions, where I’m much more laid back and easy going. I have seen her boldness displayed for Jesus in ways that I have not tapped into. It challenges me and encourages me to keep believing for more from the Lord. 🙂 Blessings! Tasha
Kids have taught me more about myself in 4 years than I knew my entire life, Tasha. Let’s pursue like they do.
Precious…I get the mama heart thing and I also get how I need God’s courage…thanks, Kelly
Let’s be courageous as we follow Jesus’ call. Thanks Dolly.
OH what a precious child you are raising! 🙂 I want to be more like him…just walk up to people and say, “Hey! Can I please talk to you about God?! I want you, too, to know this good God that I know.”
Thank you Laura. He is a little sweetheart that is for sure. He has taught me so much. May we have courage like him.
What a beautiful example your son is. I love his heart for Jesus and for people – he must take after his wonderful mom 🙂
Blessings, my friend,
Kamea
Thank you Kamea. 😉 You make me smile.
LOVE this post Kelly!! So true…and so convicting. The comment “He seems to have not been jaded yet.Somewhere along the way though, I have” really is an impactful statement to us all. Than you for writing this!! 🙂
You bet Angela, thank you so much for reading it. It was a blessing to share.
I love the encouragement to recognize Jesus as others’ first need, and approach them in such a way that speaks Jesus into their hearts.
Lovely. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thank you Brenda. Let’s speak his love.
Kids have such an ability to teach us and humble us (at least mine do!) I am so thankful God puts them in our lives to tell us what we need to hear!
They do Sarah! They haven’t been tainted yet.