I am always reading.
If it isn’t a book about deepening my faith, then it’s a book about leadership, marriage, parenting, and life.
I recently read a book that greatly challenged my parenting. The irony is, the book ended up challenging my faith even more than parenting.
Take this paragraph, for example:
“You want to see your child live a life that is embedded in the rich soil of Christ’s gracious work. The focal point of your discipline and correction must be your children seeing their utter inability to do the things that God requires unless they know the help and strength of God. Your correction must hold the standard of righteousness as high as God holds it. God’s standard is correct behavior flowing from a heart that loves God and has God’s glory as the sole purpose of life.”
“Shepherding a Child’s Heart” by Tedd Tripp
I read this paragraph and was instantly gripped with conviction to teach and guide my children to understand their hearts and how to accept themselves as sinners in need of a Savior. But the second I entertained that thought, I was also instantly gripped to reread the paragraph for myself and to understand these depths of truth for my own life.
Truth is, my children will come to understand these depths only if I myself am willing to understand these depths.
If I want my children to understand His love, I must understand His love.
If I want my children to need God, I must need God.
If I want my children to be obedient to the Holy Spirit, I must be obedient to the Holy Spirit.
If I want my children to step out and serve other people, I must step out and serve other people.
The same can be said about anything in life.
I cannot give leadership advice if I’m not continually growing in my own leadership.
I cannot give faith advice if I’m not continually growing in my own faith.
I must be willing to go first.
Isn’t this a powerful challenge?
No matter who you are or what life you lead you ARE a leader, and Christ is asking you to lead and influence those around you whom look up to you for wise council and advice…. BUT, if you want to lead others well, you must be willing to go first.
”Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” -2 Timothy 2:15
