Fear of God

I read a book written by Nikki Giovanni to my students.  The book was about abolitionists leading to and during the Civil War.  In her forward, she says that many feel people behave a certain way out of fear.  We do what is right because we are afraid of punishment.  She, however, believes that people do what is right and make decisions out of respect. 

I have a student this year who fits into her category.  He doesn't care if he gets into trouble.  You can take away his recess or put him in silent lunch.  He doesn't care as long as he thinks you are fair.  He won't behave based on threats of punishment.  He only behaves for you if he respects you.  He is never a problem for me.  He knows I care about his grades and his well being.  For other teachers, though, he is a challenge.  He is rude, defiant, disruptive, you name it, he can be THAT kid!

In Luke 8, people ask Jesus to leave their town because they are afraid of him.  This shows they don't believe he is the Son of God.  There are places in the Bible that mention a fear of God, but these people have no respect for God.  They have plenty of fear.

In Exodus, I read today about the Egyptians increasing the work of the Israelites after Moses requests their freedom.  This, again, is an act of fear.  Respect of God would cause them to do the right thing. 

I agree with Nikki Giovanni.  If we respect God, we will obey him.  Fear could turn us in the wrong direction.

Convincing

As a teacher, one of my biggest struggles is to motivate kids to care about the quality of their work or pay enough attention to learn what I am teaching.  I have a had time getting them to listen to what I say.  It is so frustrating to stand up and say something over and over and still feel like I am not being heard.  I imagine that is how Jesus is feeling in Luke 7.  He seems to say the same things over and over, but still needs to explain further because people just aren't getting it. 

The good news is that Jesus is willing to be so patient with us.  He rarely shows any anger.  He simply listens and tries again.  He didn't spend much time teaching before his death, but the time he spent was rigorous.  I put a lot of myself into my career, but he devoted his life to it.  I hope that I can have the same patience and concern for my kids.

Moving on to Exodus, boy did I learn something today.  There is a passage, Exodus 4:24-26 that I have never paid attention to before.  Moses has been chosen to go lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  He and his family have returned to Egypt.  On the way, God just about kills Moses for not totally obeying the laws.  One of Moses's sons was not circumsized.  His wife steps in and does it for him. 

I am glad that God holds his leaders to strict standards.  I find comfort in the fact that in order to be held in high regard with God, you must follow the rules.  That shows the character of those chosen.  However, it concerns me about how well I obey God.  I have to stop and think whether I FULLY obey his commands or if I do just enough to get by like my students often do. 

Comfort Now or Later???

I am reading a book by Angela Thomas, Do You Think I'm Beautiful?  I read yesterday that she is certain the reason no man, father, friend, or amount of stuff can fill all voids in our soul is because that emptiness can only be filled by God.  Futhermore, these empty places won't be filled until we reach Heaven!  We can spend our entire lives looking for what satisfies our souls and never find it here on Earth.  So why look?  Because God allows us "appetizers" of Heaven.  We get to taste what Heaven will be like through the gifts God sends our way while on Earth. 

This morning I read Luke chapter 6.  Jesus teaches the people that those who are not blessed on Earth will be blessed in Heaven.  He says that those who have riches now will not receive them later.  Those who are strong now, will not get strength in Heaven. 

I dream of winning the lottery, as many do.  I dream of not having to worry about my finances or my health or health of my son or husband.  However, we are told very clearly that those who do not have perfect lives now will have perfect lives in Heaven.  Our empty places will be filled.  After reading this, I will try to not worry so much about the check I have to mail to the IRS today or what birthday present to buy our two year old this week.  These daily issues will all disappear soon enough. 

Leaving Everything Behind

Many of the stories in the Bible show people fleeing and leaving all of their family and possessions behind.  It was easier then to disappear than it is today.  We track people and can contact others a half of a world away.  They simply left in the dark of night to never return. 

In Luke, Jesus calls disciples to leave thier lives and follow him.  Levi, the tax collector, left his things sitting under a tree and took off.  This got me thinking about my life.  Does Jesus call us to leave our lives behind?  I think it depends on your life.  I think if he took inventory of my life, most things would please him.  My husband is a good man, my job is teaching chidren, we raise our son in church, we try to stay involved in church matters.  I spend time every day reading the Bible and writing this blog.  There are certainly things that God would choose for me to drop, but I don't think he wants me to leave in the dark of night to never return to my family.  Instead, I think he placed me here.

Moses is another whose life is filled with fleeing.  He is hidden as a baby, then found by Pharoah's daughter.  He kills an Egyptian and flees.  What does he find?  A wife!  But we all know that God is going to call him to leave his new life behind and return to Egypt. 

I guess what this all boils down to is that God could call us up to leave our current situation anytime he wants.  We better be prepared to follow where ever he tells us to go.  Until that day comes, we should be satisfied with the position we are in and live according his rules for our lives.

In Your Own Home

I know a woman who recently found a lewd picture on her daughter's phone.  She assumed the picture had been taken at someone else's house.  Her daughter admitted who took it.  The young man was very quick to say that the girl asked him to take the picture on her phone while visiting her house.  The mother just couldn't believe it took place in her own home.

What happens in our homes?  Are they places where we glorify God, or do we only do that in His house?  Jesus tells the people of Narareth that he won't be successful there because it is his home.  They drive him from the town, with the intention of throwing him over a cliff, according to Luke 4.  I will take some time to think about what happens in my home.  Do we focus on God or do we focus on the busyness of our lives??!

I also began reading Exodus today.  The first chapter tells of the beginning of the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt.  I love that the midwives, who are ordered to kill the baby boys, lie and say that they do not arrive early enough to kill the babies.  They fear God more than the Pharoah.  I hope that I can do the right thing always by God, and not by others.

Luke chapter 3 tells more specifics about what John the Baptist preached.  It seems that he was one of the first in a while to teach that each person should try to be content with what was given to them instead of fighting and cheating others out of their things.  He was doing great until he spoke against Herod.  Then John was thrown in jail. 

Before that happened though, Jesus was baptized.  I'm sure it wasn't to forgive his sins, because he had none to forgive.  I think it sybolized giving up the 30 years of normal life.  I am 29.  I imagine his life up to this point has been very much like others in his age group.  Now he is putting his life aside and devoting the rest of his time to God's plan. 

I also finished the book of Genesis today.  I enjoyed this book more this time around than in the past.  I think I actually understand some of the background for this group of people.  It ends with Joseph's death at the age of 110.  He was able to live long enough to see great, great grandchildren. 

I hope everyone enjoys a spring day!  We will spend ours inside.  Another cold rainy April day here, but tomorrow should be about 30 degrees warmer!

More On Parenting

I am not an expert on parenting.  I seek advice everyday on how to best raise my son.  I have learned that we all do the best we can from day to day. 
Yesterday I wrote about the dreams we all have for our  children.  As I read Luke 2 I started thinking about what it would be like to try to raise Jesus.  This chapter holds the story of his birth and his childhood.  I read about Jesus staying behind at the temple for several days when his parents were looking for him.  I knew the story, but his response to their question of, "Where have you been?" struck me today.  He replied that they shouldn't have been searching, he was simply in his father's house.  I  would have been just as confused if my 12 year old son said that to me. 

I imagine that Mary was worried for the safety of her son, but also concerned about her parenting for a greater reason.  She knows she is raising a child who will do something great.  There must be a lot of pressure on her to get it right, because God is counting on her. 

When I switched over to Genesis 49, I saw the blessings of the 12 sons of Jacob.  He tells each son what their future will be like.   I wondered if, like Mary, he was telling what he wished for them, or what was ordained by God.  Jacob also knew that Joseph would be the one who would carry on Abraham's blood line.  Mary knew her son would make history.  I can't imagine the feeling that the whole world will hear about how I raise my child and would judge me, but that is the position of both Mary and Jacob.

That doesn't sound like peaceful child rearing to me!