Every parent serves as a role model to his or her children, on a range of adjectives from +10, down, down, down to -10. Examples are sometimes taught purposefully while (many?) others are transmitted unknowingly. Children appear to have an incredible absorption factor. Adult family members, friends, and acquaintances, too, have an impact on the inquisitive spirit of little ones who are always listening even when it seems they are just talking to their stuffed animals or playing a video game. To quote Dr. James Dobson again, “Children are the best receivers of information but the worst interpreters of information.”
Let’s be honest. We all grow up with a mix of good and bad input (or poorly interpreted input). As we graduate into adulthood, we carry all of it with us. All the good input prepares us to make good decisions, face adulting with a measure of confidence, and to see ourselves with a balanced perspective – not ‘all that and a bag of chips,’ but not ‘dismal, hopeless failure’ either.
We carry all the good and all the bad into our discipleship, too. The Apostle Paul declares:“Now if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new.” (2 Cor, 5:17, TPT). The more positive our self-image, the less of a hurdle it is to receive the glorious message in his words. Conversely, the more negative our self-image, the more of a steep climb it is and the more disqualified and undeserving we feel. The first crucial step for all of us is to hear God’s love gently whispered to us individually (His voice drowns out the harsh condemning of the Accuser). Then, to submit to His forgiveness, cleansing, and adoption the only way possible – with humility and wide-eyed wonder. Finally, we need a solid, positive example to follow, one who is commendable, one who deserves imitation because of excellence – an exemplar. As one might expect, God, in the perfection of His Plan ‘A,’ has made just such provision for us – Exhibit ‘A’ if you will. He’s a good, good Father!
So looking forward to getting together with all you 21st Century disciples in training tomorrow, 10 AM, 3 PM UK, 4 PM FR, ES. PD
