Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
With the sun beating down and temperatures rising above the ninety degree mark, we decided to drop anchor and go for a swim. We were enjoying a lazy summer afternoon on the river. Without a care in the world, we appreciated the opportunity to have fun with treasured friends.
The smooth surface of the water broke when we jumped into the river (cannon ball style), trying to see who could make the biggest splash.
Enjoying the cool refreshment of the water, we didn’t realize how far we had drifted from the boat. The river’s current was unusually strong that day. Once realization set in, we struggled to swim against the flow back to the safety of the boat. Our efforts seemed futile. We were making very little progress and growing weary in the process.
Finally, one of the guys made it back to the boat and threw us a line. With his feet planted firmly on the anchored craft, he was able to pull us back in.
The Christian life can make us weary, especially when swimming against the tide of secularism. Worldliness and materialism create a great chasm between us and God. Children are especially vulnerable to being swept downstream by the culture’s flow. Parents helplessly watch as loved ones drift further and further from God.
Drugs, alcohol, violence, and promiscuity run rampant at a time when our kids should be shrouded by innocence. Since God is no longer welcome in many of the environments that our children frequent, how can we pull them back to safety?
“Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors…” (Deuteronomy 6:18)
As parents we must have unmovable faith. We must be tethered to the secure hold of Jesus Christ. With both feet planted firmly on solid ground, we must continually pull them out of harm’s way and back to safety. Every day we must speak truth into their lives and show them (through our example) what it looks like to swim against the current. We must teach our children from the time they are very young and pray for them daily, placing them at the feet of Jesus.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
Each time they begin to stray, pray boldly and trust God’s higher ways. Our God is faithful. He will continue to draw them back into His secure and loving embrace.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Matthew 6:19)
