John 3:23-30
At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. (This was before John was thrown into prison.) A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”
John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
All teachers know that Halloween is a turning point in the fall semester, particularly for little ones. Once the kids get their Halloween “sugar high,” it’s pretty much “Katy bar the door” until Christmas! So when my niece told me that Timothy’s teachers had declared him to be “rowdy” on November 1st, I can’t say I was surprised. I told her that my experience had proven that there would be lots of “rowdiness” between now and Christmas… and she said Timothy’s teachers had pretty much said the same thing.
This explanation doesn’t excuse “rowdy” behavior in young children… and they must accept responsibility for their actions. So when Timothy told us on Sunday, “I didn’t get to come to your house after Halloween,” I reminded him that it was because he had misbehaved… that in order to visit us overnight on Saturday, he must be good at school – and at home – during the week. That’s a tall order for a four-year-old. But he can do it. And at some point, we must hold him more accountable for his actions and intervene on his behalf less and less. Even now, as he learns in Sunday school that God created everything… that God wants us to do our very best…that God will help us with our challenges… we must allow Him to lean more on God and less on us for these things.
Learning to let go – even of your child’s spiritual journey - is a hard “parenting” lesson. It’s even harder for us sometimes as we become adults. We often have trouble recognizing Who is really in charge. We want to do things ourselves… our way…and to receive credit for our independence. So we find it hard to admit that God is in charge… that while we are allowed to handle things somewhat on our own at times, the end result came from Him – by His hand, not our own.
By the same token, we must accept responsibility for our actions and not try to blame God. Rather, we must learn to rely on Him. Just as young children must learn to develop a trust in God… to listen to Him and follow His lead… to acknowledge right from wrong and strive to do what He desires… we must do the same. And we must lead by example…not because we are wonderful, strong and mighty… but because we are made so by God’s great sacrifice – His love, grace and mercy over us.
It’s not about us… it’s about Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. It’s about God and the love He has for us that is so great that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son for our sins. It’s about the privilege of serving Him… of allowing God to use us to reach others in His name… and giving Him all of the glory and credit. We are very much still the rowdy child who has lessons to learn... but it’s high time we grew up a bit and started comprehending what we have been taught!
Where are you in this journey? Are you taking credit for the things that God has done in and through you? Are you showing the proper respect for your position in life… or do you think more highly of yourself than you ought? Are you trying to be the bridegroom instead of the best man? Do you need to acknowledge your “rowdiness” and make an effort to behave better? Isn’t it time you got started?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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