May 12, 2008

I love the missionary heart of Psalm 96:10—“Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’”

On Mother’s Day, May 11, I encouraged our moms (and dads and grandparents and other adults, too) to “teach and show your children that God is worthy to be made known and to have a heart for the peoples” of the world, and to “encourage your children toward a “Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’” life!”

Parents, you will be able to do this as you, more and more, embrace this heart and mindset—that the great, big, glorious God of Psalm 96 is worthy to be worshiped and worthy to be declared and made known among all peoples of the world!

What is your dream for your kids? To get a great job and have a nice family, including grandkids you can dote on? To have a huge house and all the amenities of American convenience and comfort? There is a much greater dream to impart to your children—that of being a part of God’s work in reaching all the peoples with the great gospel of Christ!

I know a young man, Mike, (now married and an expectant daddy) who is completing his training for reaching unreached people for Jesus in the Philippine Islands. I’ve known him since he was a pre-schooler and was his pastor for 14 years. During adolescence he went through a rebellious stage for a while; and then God used our youth pastor to impart a vision of God’s captivating greatness and Mike was never the same! He couldn’t be and didn’t want to be! One short-term visit to the Philippines did it and his life’s course was set for spreading the glory of Christ’s great name and gospel to those who have not heard!

I also know Mike’s mother. When her son laid down his rebellion and began headlong pursuit of obedience to Christ, she was thrilled—until she realized that her all-American dream was being supplanted by Mike’s “all peoples of the world with the gospel” dream. It was hard for her to think of Mike (and probably her daughter-in-law and grandbabies) half way round the world for years at a time, living in the wilds of Asia. Hers was a very dear vision of the future and one difficult to give up. “Lord, Mike is yours, I know, but do you really want him over there? Can’t you use him here?” But as a lover of Christ she came to support Mike and will willingly, and sadly, release him and his family to their calling very soon.

What is your dream for your children? Will you encourage them toward a “Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’” life?