“POINTS TO PONDER” – January 16th
Written by M. Hall
Please feel free to agree or disagree with points made, and feel free to comment if so desired.
If you would like, you could write your own thoughts on the verse of the day, and include that in your own comments below. Thank you and may you be blessed!! =)
TRAIN or TURN?
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 NIV
The verb “train” in this sentence means (according to dictionary.com);
To develop or form the habits, thoughts or behaviour of (a child or other person) by discipline and instruction; to make proficient by instruction and practice, as in some art, profession or work; to make (a person) fit by proper exercise, diet, practice, etc., as for an athletic performance; to discipline and instruct (an animal), as in the performance of tasks or tricks; to treat or manipulate so as to bring into some desired form, position, direction, etc; [horticulture] to bring (a plant, branch, etc) into a particular shape or position, by bending, pruning or the like; to bring to bear on some object; point, aim, or direct as a firearm, camera, telescope or eye; to entice, allure.
WOW! Training a child can be a difficult task. Think of all the things that they need training for, toilet training, training to walk, training to read, etc. They do not however need training to CRY. One of the first things that babies can and will do by themselves is to CRY. It is the easiest thing to do.
(Editor’s SideNote: *This devotional was going to be about training our children, so that they will not turn, however it is also taking a new direction thanks to the Holy Spirit. We need to teach ourselves, and our children to cry out once again!*)
Why is CRYING so hard for us to do as adults? CRYING itself is seen as a form of weakness. CRYING OUT to God is what He desires. We need to listen to the Father’s heart, and CRY out to Him for what we desire, but also for what He desires for us. We need to train our children to cry out for what they need. Unfortunately, we learn its not okay to cry. When there are babies crying in their cribs, crying and crying, as parents/caregivers we are taught time and again to ignore them, and they will eventually stop. Why do WE get so frustrated when we cry out, and think that God is not listening or acting on our behalf? God our Father does not ignore our cries, he bottles our tears. He hears our cries, and responds accordingly. We can always CRY out to Him! Lord we cry out for Your Grace and Mercy and Love!
The Bible has been translated many times since it was first written and inspired of the Lord. When things get translated, and re-worded many times sometimes they lose their original meaning, as in the infamous ‘Telephone Game’. In the MESSAGE, which I do like because it is in ‘readable and understandable’ English, this verse takes on a whole new meaning. It says, “Point your kids in the right direction— when they're old they won't be lost.” This version is the one I believe that some (a high percentage unfortunately) are following. There is a BIG difference between ‘pointing your kids in the right direction’ and ‘training your kids in the way they should go’. If you are put in charge of a heavy piece of machinery for example, would you want someone just to point the way that you should go, or would you actually like them to train you and show you how to use it?
Pointing the way to go, may seem helpful at the time, in the sense of the times when you ask people for directions to a place. But pointing is not really helpful, especially if you have no knowledge of the places you will be going, or even passing by for that matter. For me, giving directions and I don’t get along too well. I use LANDMARKS instead of street names most times. I do know the street names, but sometimes I cannot picture the intersection for example, unless you use a landmark. McDonalds, Malls/Plazas, etc… are good landmarks for me to know where you are talking about. North, South, East and West have no bearing for me either. (no pun intended). This is the same with children, or other people (for that matter). They have to have prior knowledge of the ‘area’ or even better, have a MAP to the places they are going. If you have a MAP or directions written down you can find the ‘place you want to go’ easier, and you have less of a chance of getting lost. Sooner or later, you will have ‘memorized’ the map and the directions, and it will be common knowledge, so that you can know go to the places you need to go.
Such is the life of a CHRISTIAN… a true Christ follower. On our own, we are left to be pointed the direction to go. We are given two directions… one leads to life, and one to death. Obviously any right-minded person would choose life, however unfortunately most don’t. We are given the options, but truly have no knowledge of either place. THE BIBLE is the MAP that has been given to EVERYONE (not just Christians), because we all were LOST. (Romans 3:23 –“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.") But Christians (true Christians) are the ones that choose to follow the map’s directions, and are no longer LOST. (“In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” –Read Matthew 18:12-14.) They ‘memorize’ the Scriptures and ‘directions’ in the map, and soon it becomes common knowledge in their physical mind and spirit. They now know which path to follow, and how to get there. Unfortunately, for us, the path to follow is a difficult one, and the other path looks oh so easy and more fun.
This is a lesson that needs to be TRAINED in people both young and old. However, if you train your children when they are young, they will hold on to what they know, and it will become common knowledge as was said above. They choose the path they wish to take, not just by us pointing the direction, but by us coming alongside them training them in the ways of the Lord. We need to come alongside any and everyone, physical children, and spiritual children.
The first definition of ‘train’ above says, “To develop or form the habits, thoughts or behaviour of (a child or other person) by discipline and instruction.” Our habits, thoughts and behaviours DEVELOP. Developing is a process. It doesn’t just happen. As I said in the beginning, training is a difficult task. Using the example of photography, a photographer isn’t just going to develop his film by ‘pointing’ the film to the developing room. He has to physically walk with it, and put it in the solution, and WAIT. Waiting is something that we as 21st century adults have no time for. However, I want to make the point that we have no time to WASTE.
Our children need us. [For future reference, when I use the word ‘children’ it can mean both ‘physical children’(those age 0-17) or ‘spiritual children’ (those who are babies in the faith and also those who you have taken under your wing.)] This is why such things as mentoring are important, but also why Sunday School, and Saturday/Sunday services should be an important part in the lives of our ‘Children’. These are places where are children are equipped and trained.
Too many times our children are ‘pointed’ in the way to go, or they are unfortunately ‘trained’ in the wrong sense of the word. So many children have been trained according to some of the definitions above, “to discipline and instruct (an animal), as in the performance of tasks or tricks; to treat or manipulate so as to bring into some desired form, position, direction, etc”. Some of our children have been manipulated or treated as animals and this is NOT how they should be treated. However, because of this we need to gain their faith and trust back, so we must assume caution when dealing with them.
One of the best definitions of ‘train’ is regarding horticulture, and you may think that has nothing to do with training children, but it certainly does. The definition states, “to bring (a plant, branch, etc) into a particular shape or position, by bending, pruning or the like.” In the Bible, we are likened unto branches. Jesus tells us in John 15 verses 1-8, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” The Father prunes us like branches, training us in His ways. We are trained through this pruning, and bending. He stretches us in ways we will and can not even imagine. Which we really shouldn’t be shocked about, because in Ephesians 3:20 it states, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” The Father knows what is best for us, and just like our physical parents He disciplines us and trains us for the work that He has for us to accomplish. BUT, we need to be trained to follow His ways, before He can and will direct and lead us in our lives. If we do trust in Him and come to the ‘COMMON KNOWLEDGE” of His map and ways, He will in fact lead and direct our path in ways to righteousness. (Proverbs 3:5-6 and Matthew 6:33.)
One good thing to note is that if you were not TRAINED properly, you can TURN your life around. One of the definitions of ‘turn’ is ‘to change or alter the course of’. God does allow U-turns. Turning back to Him is also a great course to follow. There are U-turns in the MAP. See the book of Jonah for more info.
Prayer:
WOW! Praise you Lord for the words from Your Word and Your Spirit. May it be used to Your glory, and to further Your Kingdom. Lord, I thank You for Your ways, which are definitely higher than my ways. I thank you for Your plans for my life, and those whom I love. Help me to help equip the ‘next generation’ of Your children (physical children and spiritual children). Help me to dig into your “Map of Life”, and let Your Word become ‘common knowledge’ in me. Encourage me as I encourage others to choose your path of righteousness. Thank You Lord for all Your many benefits and blessings that You have given and will give to us, most of all being the life of Your precious Son Jesus, and it is in His name that I pray all these things and more. AMEN!
BE BLESSED as you sow GOOD seeds and keep CRYIN’ out to God!
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