In His Footsteps
Over the last seven days, I’ve had conversations with both my sons about life experiences they’d encountered, themselves. One was about a client that felt blessed by my boy’s work ethic and obvious love for Christ … the other, a personal conversation with his daughter and her experience with a “bully”, and how proud he was of her for not reacting like the world expects. Talk about a proud daddy ! My heart swelled within me on both occasions, causing me to silently thank God for their stance for HIM and willingness to love on strangers, as well as family. Parents can only teach, train and live an example for their kids to follow…how they “turn out”, depends on them. So … what are you teaching em ? What kind of example are you giving them that they’re gonna follow ? I know my example wasn’t always the right one, and i regret alotta my ways… I’m not “there” yet … God’s still whittlin on me. You ( we ) can’t expect our kids to act right or do right ( according to God’s standards ) if we don’t show em ! Can you REALLY say you want your kids to be JUST like you ?! There’s an old song that says, “ Lord, i wanna be just like you, cause he wants to be like me”. That oughta be all our goal…to be more Christ-like in the things we think on, the things we say, in our actions and reactions, in the way we treat our spouse, how we treat our enemies ( just like the bullies ), how we spend the resources God allows us to earn, the attitude and attention we give to God’s written word and our worship and praise of Him. They NEED to hear and see what our relationship with Christ has done for “us”, personally ! If we’re not training em towards righteousness, someone else will be more than happy to train em in unrighteousness. If we’re not teachin em to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and energy, someone else’ll teach em to be selfish, hateful and self-centered. Being a Christian…one who lives and breathes to follow Christ in obedience unto His word, walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh, ain’t an easy task…but it’s worth the effort ! Jesus said, “ I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” ( Matthew 5:17-20 ) Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, He came to fulfill em ! SO SHOULD YOU and I . Let God use you today. Speak truth to someone. Encourage someone with the love of Christ that is within you. Show others what it looks like to be forgiven and changed. Love on that person that others have turned their backs on. Be Christ-like so “they” can follow in your footsteps. One day you won’t be here. Are you leaving a legacy that’ll benefit others ? Is Jesus magnified in your house ? Don’t be the reason they go to hell ! Give em a fightin chance ! Tell em what God expects and let em know how proud you are of em when they mimic Him.