Wednesday, June 16, 2021 Some material taken from Parenting With Purpose Part 2 & Andy Brady
I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
An Important Message for Everyone
Although in our current sermon series our focus is on parenting, all of the principles Brother Van is presenting are basic to the Christian walk – for everyone. Truths are universal for all who are pursuing Christ. In the weeks ahead we will focus on the value of truth, handling emotions, the importance of responsibility, benevolence, the power of words, spirituality, and forgiveness. These are areas we all need to learn more about and grow in, no matter what our age or season of life.
The goal is to be a more fruitful disciple in the season you are in right now.
God’s best is not waiting for you in a different season, God’s plan for you is not waiting for a different season. Now is the time to set these principles into motion and decide what kind of walk you want with Christ.
If you feel a void in your heart, it will not be filled by all the things you are waiting for such as a spouse or children. That void will only be filled by God, and then you pouring into others. Leverage this season to become an expert at friendship, service, love, grace, and boundaries. Love deeply now, no matter what God brings, loving deeply now will produce fruit. Our greatest calling – our only calling - is to pursue Christ and glorify Him. Everything else falls underneath that, and anything else we pursue more than we pursue Him, is an idol.
In the meantime, we are all a part of a family - the body of Christ. All of us are equally important and we all have children in our lives – nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, children of friends. Use these tools to pour into the children in your lives. You never know when God may use you to influence and change the life of a child you know.
Families go through seasons. A single adult starts out as a family of one. Then a couple is a family of two. Children may come and the family grows. Then one day the children are all gone, and the family is back to just two. Many times we feel a big void when the last kid leaves home. No season is more important than another because God has a purpose and plan for every season of life. He has a purpose and plan for every family, no matter how many are in the family.
Isn’t it true that no matter what season we are in, we are always thinking about the future? The really sad part of this is that not only do we miss God’s plan for us now, we also miss life going on around us. Focusing on what isn’t is good way to miss out completely on what is, and sometimes life amazes us. Trust God in the place you are in right now. Ask Him to lead you in discovering what your purpose is in this season. Don’t get distracted daydreaming about what you want Him to do in your life and miss what He is doing right now.
