Key Scripture:

“I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:10-11

Devotional:

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” – C.S. Lewis

Sometimes I can find myself looking around at this world and feeling very out of place, even frustrated with the world around me in my own community. Why is there so much hurt and destruction? I know the answer to this question is sin but when I watch the news or hear story after story of people I love in pain, I get overwhelmed. Have you ever felt like this?

We are not made for this world, and neither are our kids. In God’s eyes, time and eternity are totally different. On this side of heaven, we don’t get to understand what that means or looks like, but that is why faith is so important. We are called to have faith that God is who He says He is and He always keeps His promises. He is in control of everything from the beginning of time to now and through eternity.

We live in a culture that is full of immediate answers thanks to a little invention called the smartphone. I can pick it up and google just about anything and get an answer within seconds. I would say that most of us are becoming more impatient by the minute. So, the feeling of God’s timing not matching our understanding of time can be very frustrating. 

Parenting is an opportunity for us to share in God’s divine plan for our children’s lives. Everything that we do here on earth is temporary but everything that God does is for eternity. He has an eternal plan for our children, and He has blessed us with the opportunity to partner with Him in that plan. We get to guide them to discover the love, grace and eternal promises found in a relationship with God. By nurturing their spiritual growth alongside their physical and emotional development, we help provide them with a solid foundation that will sustain them throughout their lives. 

Keep your eyes focused on God and He will show you all that you need, in the timing that you need it, to raise your kids to be disciple-making-disciples.

Questions for Reflection:

• How do you work through the uncertainties of life knowing that our understanding cannot fully comprehend God’s divine plan?
• Identify moments in your life where you have seen God’s timing at work. Did those experiences shape your faith and perspective?