Presence and Preaching

Posted on Mar 2, 2018 by Anna Thoreson in Devotions |

 
 
“Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them.” (Mark‬ ‭9:30-31‬ ‭NLT)
 

Jesus was protecting His remaining time with His disciples. His purpose was twofold; presence and preaching. He wanted to be with them and wanted to keep teaching them. He knew their hours together were limited and that life after the cross would be more difficult than life in those moments.

As a parent, I can relate. My kids are seventeen and thirteen and for the past several years I see our time together as fleeting as the sands in an hourglass. I want to stop and count the grains. I know firsthand how hard life might be once they cross the threshold of our front door. Their childhoods are drawing to a close and it leaves a momma wondering how well she did.

Jesus foresaw His disciples moving out of His physical reach and therefore He capitalized on every reminding opportunity. He used those moments to love them well and hand out helpful tools. What a great example for parents of near blooming-adults!

I am encouraged that though the disciples didn’t quite get it at the cross or even on Easter morning, the truth did finally sink in. And then it ignited. These twelve men set the world on fire as a direct result of their experience with the living God. I wonder, what might my two children ignite when they finally fully comprehend who God is and how He’s equipped them?

Until then, as parents, we follow Christ’s example. Presence and preaching. We spend all the hours we are allowed with these precious, growing people; loving them and teaching them. And when the time comes, we prayerfully send them out that front door fully trusting that God will do the rest.
 
“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (Proverbs‬ ‭22:6‬ NLT)
 

Lord, thank You for the privilege of raising babies who grow up into people. We trust that You have been helping us all along the way and that You do good work, even with the messy materials of man. Help us stay to stay present and keep preaching. Keep us from giving up when parenting is hard or when it hurts. We see how You stayed with Your disciples up until the cross and then connected with them again after the resurrection. Help us to love our kids over the threshold of adulthood and into the fullness of who You have designed them to become. Don’t allow us to grow weary doing good. Amen.