The past few years God has caused a lot of things to change in my families life. In the midst of all the changes God has made it very clear that he has called my family to lead. How do I know my family has been called to lead? God has removed all that has been familiar and comfortable. Whenever you find yourself in an uncomfortable place in life, God is trying to develop you in that area. Well, as I stated earlier God has called my family to lead. We find ourselves constantly making a decision to do what should be done in spite of our feelings or other people’s actions. The last few years, maybe three years or so, God has been stretching our family in the area of family. So, what is family? And how can we build a strong one?
The dictionary defines family as, ” persons of common ancestry.” Let’s talk about this definition of family. At first glance this definition may appear vague or detached from the relationship aspect of family. However, I believe the dictionaries definition of family is a great place start! Every believer has the same ancestry, Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is the starting point of our families, we must look to him for guidance in building a strong family. In Psalms 127:1 we are reminded, ” Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” As we break apart Jesus’s life, here are 4 tips we can learn from Him about family.
1. Put God First/ Pray to Him– even as a young boy Jesus realized the importance of putting God first. When He was just a boy, Jesus walked away from His parents to do the will of the Lord. When His parents found Him, Luke 2:49 says his response was this, “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Jesus often spent time in prayer talking with God. He made a point to pray individually and collectively with His disciples.
2. Read and Know the Bible- Jesus would speak God’s word to give people understanding, to fight against the enemy, and to encourage himself. The word is important for building a strong foundation.
3. Spend private time with your immediate family ( the people who live in your home)- Jesus took time to teach his disciples all about God’s love before he reached out to the world. Have goals for your family and work to toward those goals. The bible says in 1 John 4:20, ” Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
4. Reach out to Others- Get out of your comfort zone. Show Christ to everyone, even those whom you rather expel from your life. It is a daily struggle for me to line my will with God’s will. Some days it happens and some days it doesn’t, but I keep trying because I know God’s way is best.
Christianhomeschoolhq.com Challenge: Take a moment to think about the areas in your life that seem challenging to you at the moment. There’s a reason for it, God is stretching you. He is requiring you to come a little higher in Him. Be the change that situation needs and God will bless you.