"Teaching With Confidence"
March 26, 2009
Colossians 2:6-7 - Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
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To be honest, I'm a little scared of being a parent. One year ago my wife delivered our first little gift from God: Adalyn Love. While this first year has had its challenges (diapers, sleep depravation, etc.), more challenges await us as Adalyn learns more everyday. Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but what scares me is what she will receive from this sinful world and me. Knowing myself and what awaits her in this world, I believe I have adequate reason to be a little scared. Or do I?
When fears and doubts overwhelm my soul there is a stronger word, the Word of God. It reminds me Adalyn is not my own. Bought with the blood of Jesus and sealed as God's own in Baptism, she is forever in His care. Yet, God has given parents important tasks. Through Paul's letter to the Colossians, I see I have the responsibility with the Spirit's guidance to make sure she is rooted and strong in the faith she is taught. As parents, our goal is to tell Adalyn how much Jesus loves her, read to her of God's sacrifice for her on the cross, pray with her, and create a home of love and care for each other. Is this goal always met? Well, some days are better than others. Even so, as parents we repent of our sins, and we seek the Spirit's help to raise a godly young lady.
Somewhere inside are you scared about how your child is going to turn out? Join the club. Yet, God does not desire us to live in fear but with confidence that He who began the good work of faith in our children is right beside us, giving us wisdom to diligently mold the next generation. This is an enormous responsibility, but we have a God who supplies all our need. For this we ought to be "abounding in thanksgiving" as Paul writes. May God bless all your teaching endeavors.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, take away my fear. Give me the strength, confidence, and faith to boldly teach the next generation of Your great love as manifested in the sending Your Son Jesus Christ. I pray this in Jesus' powerful Name. Amen.
Written by Pastor Tim Ahlman
Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Lakewood, Colorado
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