The Spiritual Priority

There are many things parents want for their children because they care about their development and future.  Whilst all people are different and parenting styles are unique, children are raised according to what the parents believe is most important.  For instance, some parents require children to sit at the table during set mealtimes to eat food together.  Parents who are fine to eat dinner separately, with one child on the lounge watching TV and another a device in their bedroom, can be strict about going to bed at a particular hour.  Some parents carefully monitor the diets of their children or their internet browsing, and others make a strong emphasis on education and preparation for life away from the family home.  And in many cases, the cliche rings true that there is more "caught than taught," as kids quickly pick up on structure their parents will adhere to without fail and is not open for debate.

For me growing up, going to school was not optional:  it was something I was required to do and held responsible by my parents to take seriously.  Going to church was also something we did as a family that was non-negotiable, for my parents believed hearing God's word and being in Christian fellowship was as important as eating nutritious food for our growing bodies.  Today I read a passage in the book of Nehemiah that shows the emphasis my parents had on our relationship with God was embraced long before Jesus came to the earth in Nehemiah 8:2-3:  "So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. ³ Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law."  The reading of the Law of Moses was for men, women and "all who could hear with understanding."  This does not mean to hear the Law one needed to be a university student or lawyer, but included children who knew the difference between "Yes" and "No."  Those who returned to Jerusalem after the captivity and rebuilt the wall of the city knew the importance of everyone hearing God's word, for He would hold them all accountable to do it:  according to their level of understanding, God holds man responsible.  Willful ignorance of God's law is no defense, just like ignorance of the law does not make a guilty man innocent.

This is a good example for parents who love the LORD, to lead by example in drawing near to hear the word of God for the purpose of walking in light of it.  Is not godliness profitable in this life and that which is to come for eternity?  If we will emphasise the importance of eating vegetables and avoiding too many sugary treats, if we will make our children go to bed at a set hour, to engage in education, to say "Please and "Thank You," how much more important is the spiritual guidance and wisdom from God who has given us life?  Since we do care about our children, the health of their bodies, the development of their minds and their future, why not model for them lives lived in submission to God?  Every parent has the God-given responsibility to prioritise what is most important, and for those who have tasted and seen that God is good our call is to direct them to hear Him.

Parents play an influential role in a child deciding to follow Jesus into adulthood.  Let us not imagine that without the reading and hearing of scripture Nehemiah 8:6 would have happened by itself without the knowledge of God from His word:  "And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground."  If our aim is to bless the LORD and have our children do likewise, we ought to do what we can to introduce them to God when they can first understand.  If a child understands how to use an electronic device and be occupied with it, I believe they can be taught to hear and treasure God and His word.  We expect our children to pay attention in class, and they ought to listen to God too.  It is for parents to prioritise the spiritual well-being of their children as well as their physical health and development.  May it be our children will say, "Amen, Amen!" in response to hearing the word of God rather than seeing "Amen" as a rote conclusion to prayer so we can be done waiting and finally eat.