As parents we raise our kids and send them out into the world. Many successfully launch. Others take longer. Eventually, however, we have to make the decision to push them forward. Our job as parents is to get our kids out into the world to make their own way. Our prayer is that they launch into this world successfully. We want them to start their lives with morals, values, and compassion. We want them to enjoy all that this life has to offer because we want only the best for them.
Guess what? Jesus expects the same from us. As Christians we are expected to grow in our faith. We can't grow without going deeper. We can't walk the walk without being all in.
How many of us have been failing to launch in our faith? We've said "Yes. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior". We attend an occasional bible study. Make it to church when we are in town. If someone asks if we are a Christian we most assuredly respond "Of course!"
So what does "all in" mean exactly? "Come follow me" Jesus said "I will make you fishers of men" (Mark 1:17). He asks us to follow Him in all aspects of our life. Whether we choose to launch or not is our decision. If we remain complacent in our roll as an occasional participant we miss the joy He has died to give us.
A wise woman once asked me "Is what you are living for worth Jesus dying?" Puts a whole new spin on things doesn't it?
This week many schools have already started pre-season sports practices. Moms and kids are school clothes shopping. Parents are jockeying for the "best" teachers. Family calendars are being planned for Fall vacations. It's really easy to get caught up in the frenzy of trying to launch into a new school year. We think if our kids have the best of everything they will have a better collegiate outcome than their peers.
What if, this year, we put all that we have into making sure we reach out to the new mom in the carpool line. What if, this school year, we get up an hour early and pray. What if we ask God to let our path cross with someone who needs a Godly friend. What if, this year, we pray about what we can do to help our teachers versus how they can help my child. What if, this school year, we pray not how can our kids impact a sports team but how can they witness to a teammate? How about asking God to use you to be a fisher of men.
In this crazy, messed up, beautiful world we can no longer be by standers of the faith. Time is short. Is what you are living for worth Jesus having died? The clothes will be out of style by next school year. There will always be someone more talented and academically gifted. There will always be a more expensive car than yours in the carpool line. Someone will inevitably take a far more exciting Fall Break trip than your family. These things are just things. A temporary blip in time.
Make the decision to launch. Live for Him. That will bring you joy. When you meet Him face to face you most certainly will have no regrets.
"Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. "-Psalm 5:3
