What giants do we face today in our everyday walk with the Lord? Throughout history people have continuously ran into obstacles in their walks that could be classified as giants. In the Bible there are specific instances of giants being in the path of some of our most notable biblical heroes. Take a look at the story of the spies sent into Canaan by Moses. They went into Canaan and saw that it was a fabulous land filled with milk and honey, they even brought out huge grapes that took two grown men to carry. No matter what they saw that was wonderful though, ten of them came out talking about giants who were so large that they made them feel like grasshoppers.
So as adults we have the giants that we look at each and every day in our walks with Christ. To some of us that could be what is going on with our government, the way this country is being de Christianized, the glorification of such things as abortion, sex, and homosexuality on television. I mean as adults we have enough giants in our path to keep us gainfully engaged in spiritual warfare for many years to come. The question to ask is; what giants do our children/students face each and every day?
For any of us who have children who are in school between the grades of 4th grade on it is a safe assumption that our children/students are dealing with some of the following giant sized issues each day and we do not even know about it.
· Drugs
· Sex
· Pornography
· Suicide
· Violence
· Homosexuality
· Bias
· Racism
This is just a short list that I have heard my own children mention and I have kids in school from the 3rd grade all the way up to a senior in high school. I guess the problem I see is why this is even an issue at their ages. I mean to start off with no child in the 4th grade or elementary school period should be talking about half these subjects and if they are caught doing it should be disciplined immediately for it buy their teachers and their parents. The reality is that it doesn’t happen at either level and only fosters the feeling that these things are ok.
The truth is that we should love our children enough to address these tough and uncomfortable issues before they become a problem. That is our job in this world, to guide and protect our children from evil and unnecessary influence. We are not commanded to stand by and watch it happen to our children either. We should take the proactive stance to reach out and prepare our children/students for the giants that they will face in this world.
What we find is that the things we find to be miniscule in importance to us is one of these giants in our children/students lives. Let’s take a look at a scenario that could be one of these situations.
Billy is a ten year old boy who lives in a Christian family and loves sports. Billy has played soccer every since he was old enough to run straight without falling down. Well this year while at VBS Billy was filled with the Holy Spirit and met this dude Jesus and fell in love with Him, so now Billy is a child of God.
Well a couple months go by and soccer season comes around. Well Billy has been a good boy and has been attending church every Sunday and Wednesday and has been putting God first in his life. But now he is faced with a pretty tough decision, his soccer practices this year are going to be held on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This presents a small problem to Billy because now he has to make a decision between something he loves doing and someone he loves. Does he forgo church to play soccer, or does he take the stand and tell his coach and parents that God comes first.
This is one of those situations that can seem to be so miniscule right. I mean it’s just a sport and you are only missing Wednesday service a few months a year. But let’s see how this could turn into a giant in our students/children’s lives.
Billy is now 16 years old and a junior in high school. He has kept his grades up and has excelled at soccer. As a matter of fact he is so good that he is considered to be in the top 50 youth players in the country. In addition he plays on a year round traveling team going all over the state. I mean that sounds awesome right.
Well here is where it gets a little touchy; Billy (who voluntarily gave his life to Christ) has not been to church on a consistent basis in about a year now. I mean he is there at least one Sunday a month (because he has tournaments at least 2 times a month), but is rarely there on Wednesdays. He has been so consumed with school, soccer, and friends that he hasn’t read his bible in about 5 months. Because he now has practice every single day for 2-3 hours after school, when he gets home he is so tired he cannot even pray. So now this miniscule issue from when he was 10 years old has now turned into a gigantic stumbling block in Billy’s relationship with the Lord.
See Billy has forgotten what that Spirit felt like because he was allowed to place something before God. To him at the age of 10 it was just a sport to keep him busy. His parents could have and should have stepped in and set the ground rules and limitations. It was their responsibility to guide their child/student in the correct spiritual path.
Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who love Me and keep My commands. (Exodus 20:4-6)
Greg
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