My boy seemed less than enthusiastic about graduating kindergarten last night. Mom was a little teary, Alicia was excited for her little brother and I was reflective as I saw him receive his diploma and some sage counsel whispered in his ear by the principal. Landon was simply ready for summer break to begin and will likely categorize the big night as a “non-event” for the rest of his years.
Leaving the school we spent some time asking him bible questions – a game that our kids always seem to enjoy. It’s challenging to ask them questions that stretch their little minds without going way above their heads. For instance, asking the recent kindergarten graduate to give a comprehensive explanation of the hypostatic union and which component is most accentuated in the incarnation and earthly life of the Son of Man would likely leave the boy with a glassy stare and mouth slightly agape. On the other hand, to ask him to recite John 3:16 would leave him a little insulted. Amy & Alicia took a path with him that tested his memory skills when they called on him to recite the books of the bible. Bogging down somewhere around the minor prophets, the boy called it quits. Sensing his disappointment, Alicia began the following exchange with him:
“Landon, tell me again the first book of the bible.”
“Genesis!”
“Now tell me the last book of the Bible.”
Silence from the little man.
“It starts with R, Landon. Rrrr….rrrr…rrrrr….” she coaxed him.
“Rubbish!” he called out with unquestionable confidence.
After a good laugh from the two adults in the front seat I pondered on his blasphemous and heretical conclusion that the end of the bible was rubbish. I thought to myself as my boy graduated from kindergarten just a few moments before that his eternity and the quality of his earthly life depends on him concluding the exact opposite of what he had declared about scripture.
Landon will need to believe that God’s word is treasure. He will need to embrace it as the precious truth that God has entrusted to him. My son must adopt very early on the understanding that his bible is a fountain of life and refreshment.
I pray nearly every day that my children will develop a love for the word because they will grow up in a world that is quite different from the one you and I were raised in. Persecution will likely come in greater waves. Material prosperity will not be afforded his generation as a comfort or crutch. Landon’s generation will likely be raised in an unprecedented adversity and his bible must become his best friend. So I pray. I ask God to never let it be esteemed lightly in his eyes. My prayers include petitions for my son’s enlightenment and appetite towards the word of God. May it be his soul’s delight. May it continually stun him and humble him and hold him and help him. May he awaken to its rhythmic inner cadence as he is called into depth by his God. He must learn it to be irresistible. May he find it breeding steel in his spine and tenderness in his heart. God, let it be more important to us all than our money, our beauty, our happiness and our health. Make it to us what it is to You, Lord. Begin early with my boy and relentlessly pursue his heart and mind. Let your word be magnified above all your name (Psalm 138:2).
Let it be anything but rubbish.
I meant to leave a post on this but let time slip away… I have known ministers who refuse to preach from the book of Rubbish, I mean Revelation…. As you can guess, I did not endear myself to them with my follow up comments! The time of our Lord’s return is soon and we need read, heed and believe.