Read It, Learn It,
Live It, Share It
“We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation
to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that
He has done.” Psalm 78:4
Have
you ever been to the circus, and seen a person walk on the high wire? Generally, it’s a metal cable about 1.5
inches thick, suspended between two platforms about 30 meters apart. The trapeze artist will take that first step
out onto the wire, delicately placing his/her foot in just the right position
and then slowly transfer their weight to that front foot, and while balancing
with their arms out wide, begin the trek across the wire. Making it look effortless, they manage to
walk across the hire wire and step upon the platform at the other end. It’s quite amazing to watch someone execute
this, and even more so when they do it without a net. I’ve even heard of people walking high wires
across large canyons or over Niagara Falls.
It must take incredible courage to step away from a crowd of people and
out onto a relatively small wire, where one misstep or loss of balance will
result in one’s death.
Think about it on a bigger scale. What if the lifecycle between birth and death were a high wire? Make it to the other side and experience eternity with God the Father in heaven; fall anywhere between that first step and the last step and the results are eternity in Hell, separated from the Father. When you think about it there are only two options, and it is completely based on the choice each of us must make. This includes your spouse, your children, your parents, siblings and friends. Each must make this choice in life, there are no exceptions.
Now, I want you to imagine that you take your children and a few of their friends to the circus. Mid way through, they get up to go get some popcorn and drinks. A few minutes pass and then the lights go dim and a spotlight shines to the top of the tent and focuses on the high-wire pedestal. There is your son or daughter, standing on that platform, with their friends all around them chanting, “Go, go, you can do it….Just take a step, it’ll be easy.” One hundred feet up, no net, and the band so loud, your voice can’t be heard as you scream for your child to stop. You realize that he (or she) is about to take that first step and your heart breaks knowing that one wobble will result in his certain death.
If you are a parent, or plan to be, you know that life is a high wire for your children. They will be influenced by this world to do very stupid things, some of which will result in tragic endings. You cannot be with them 24x7 or keep them locked away in a shelter somewhere, You must let them experience life and grow up making decisions as they build their character. The key to this is to ensure that they have a solid foundation to make those decisions from and then surround them with prayer and trust in God to watch over them. But, make no mistakes, you have a huge responsibility in the path they choose to pursue.
As your child prepares to step onto the high wire, wouldn’t you want to make that wire as wide as possible? Perhaps laying down a few planks of wood along each side, making it a few feet wide and more stable, rather than a few inches. Yes, they still walk that high wire alone, but the risk of falling off is dramatically reduced. You have the responsibility of making sure they know about God’s love, Christ’s sacrifice and the Truth from the Word. It is not acceptable to sit on the sides and hope they make a decision to follow God in life, because the world is not going to help you lay down those planks, you have to do it. You can’t set back and watch them try to get it right, you have to give them the wisdom, directions and understanding to know all of the risks in life.
Yes, in the end your children, spouse, friends and family must make this decision for themselves, but you cannot have a belief yourself and not take the opportunity to share it with them. If you set back and let them try to figure it out on their own, I guarantee you their chances of falling off that wire are greatly enhanced. The world is going to be edging them on without concern of their eternal destiny. If you are a believer, and care about those around you, you need to step up and take that responsibility on. Don’t let them step onto the hire wire alone, it’s a long endless fall if they don’t make it to the other side, and there is no safety net. Start today, share the Lord with those around you, and help them make it across the wire. If you are wondering what your purpose in life is, this is it. Now Step Up.
Think about it on a bigger scale. What if the lifecycle between birth and death were a high wire? Make it to the other side and experience eternity with God the Father in heaven; fall anywhere between that first step and the last step and the results are eternity in Hell, separated from the Father. When you think about it there are only two options, and it is completely based on the choice each of us must make. This includes your spouse, your children, your parents, siblings and friends. Each must make this choice in life, there are no exceptions.
Now, I want you to imagine that you take your children and a few of their friends to the circus. Mid way through, they get up to go get some popcorn and drinks. A few minutes pass and then the lights go dim and a spotlight shines to the top of the tent and focuses on the high-wire pedestal. There is your son or daughter, standing on that platform, with their friends all around them chanting, “Go, go, you can do it….Just take a step, it’ll be easy.” One hundred feet up, no net, and the band so loud, your voice can’t be heard as you scream for your child to stop. You realize that he (or she) is about to take that first step and your heart breaks knowing that one wobble will result in his certain death.
If you are a parent, or plan to be, you know that life is a high wire for your children. They will be influenced by this world to do very stupid things, some of which will result in tragic endings. You cannot be with them 24x7 or keep them locked away in a shelter somewhere, You must let them experience life and grow up making decisions as they build their character. The key to this is to ensure that they have a solid foundation to make those decisions from and then surround them with prayer and trust in God to watch over them. But, make no mistakes, you have a huge responsibility in the path they choose to pursue.
As your child prepares to step onto the high wire, wouldn’t you want to make that wire as wide as possible? Perhaps laying down a few planks of wood along each side, making it a few feet wide and more stable, rather than a few inches. Yes, they still walk that high wire alone, but the risk of falling off is dramatically reduced. You have the responsibility of making sure they know about God’s love, Christ’s sacrifice and the Truth from the Word. It is not acceptable to sit on the sides and hope they make a decision to follow God in life, because the world is not going to help you lay down those planks, you have to do it. You can’t set back and watch them try to get it right, you have to give them the wisdom, directions and understanding to know all of the risks in life.
Yes, in the end your children, spouse, friends and family must make this decision for themselves, but you cannot have a belief yourself and not take the opportunity to share it with them. If you set back and let them try to figure it out on their own, I guarantee you their chances of falling off that wire are greatly enhanced. The world is going to be edging them on without concern of their eternal destiny. If you are a believer, and care about those around you, you need to step up and take that responsibility on. Don’t let them step onto the hire wire alone, it’s a long endless fall if they don’t make it to the other side, and there is no safety net. Start today, share the Lord with those around you, and help them make it across the wire. If you are wondering what your purpose in life is, this is it. Now Step Up.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who came to die that I might live. Thank you for the the grace that you have provided so that I might one day join you in eternity despite my unrighteous life filled with transgression. Help me Lord, to take on the challenge of every parent and teach my children and their children of your goodness, grace and mercy. Give me the wisdom and courage to share your message with those I meet that they too can have eternity with you in paradise. Convict my spirit Lord to desire your purpose in my life with a passion and fervor that leads my feet to enhance your kingdom. I pray for my children, my wife, my family and my friends salvation Lord, that not one of them are left behind on judgment day. Help me be a witness to them to provide guidance in their life to seek you. I ask these things in Your precious and Holy name - Amen.For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
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