Isn't it interesting how different siblings can be? One may be timid and another forceful; one may be quiet and another loud. Or, one may be quite animated and another still. One can be compliant and another rebellious. They all have the same home environment. They are all loved. Yet, because they have a will their compliance will be determined by their exercise of that will.
I have three children. My oldest daughter has been a pretty compliant person all of her life. She's smart and determined, yet, there was very little rebellion seen in her even to this time. In fact, "dad" cut her meat up for her until she was about 17, and she wanted it that way! Even now she calls me for help or advise very often.
My youngest daughter is a total opposite. She is smart and determined as well but she wants to do everything on her own. She never wanted "dad" to cut up her meat or anything else because she has to do everything herself! She has a very strong will! Compliance is NOT in her vocabulary except compellingly. She does not seek parental advice and doesn't want a parent raining on her parade. Needless to say, this is quite different from her older sister.
My son, who is now 18 years old is somewhere in the middle. Sometimes compliant (less so now) and sometimes rebellious. I mentioned his attitude in my last post.
Now, all three grew up in the same surroundings and, we believe, with the same considerations and love. Yet, because of their individual personalities all three are different. Some would say that the influence of their friends, school, and/or other activities makes the difference and I would agree to a point, but it is really that individual personality that makes the difference.
The Bible says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prov.23:7) If a child thinks of himself/herself as a part of a family, as dependent on his parents, as responsible to be dutiful it will make for a strong bond but if a child thinks of himself/herself as independent of and from his/her parents and family it makes for an awful lot of ups and downs in that family fellowship.
Can you image how many children God has to deal with? Each with his own temperament; some with a strong will and others more compliant. I've been around long enough to know that every child of God is different. No two are exactly alike. There are NO TWINS in God's family!
Jesus said, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." (John 8:29) Jesus, in His incarnation, was compliant to His Father's will. In fact, "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" (Hebrews 5:9) Jesus did everything to please His Father and to be obedient. He is our example and yet we know that we are NOT always obedient; we are not always compliant. I know that with me, if the Father ever had hair it's probably all pulled out by now!
So, when ever I reflect on my children and their imperfections, I have to consider my own imperfections and my own rebellious heart. Earlier I mentioned family fellowship. I did NOT say relationship because the relationship will always be settled. It's the fellowship that gets strained. My relationship is settled because my name is written in His Book from the foundation of the world and because the doctrines of grace have been at work in my life, BUT, life is for learning and I have learned, or perhaps I should say I am still learning, that my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ do not change; they are the same today as they were two thousand years ago. It is I who change; it is I who, if the fellowship be strained, am responsible!
No comments:
Post a Comment