Can you imagine what it is like to grow up in our world today? If our children weren’t distracted by an exponentially greater amount of entertainment choices then we had imagine how scared they would be.
School Shootings
As a teacher in a public middle school I am always mindful of the fact that what was decades before inconceivable is already in the collective consciousness of our children. When they are angry or frustrated they may consider options of response that weren’t even on the table just a few years ago. The result is that no one feels at ease in an environment that used to be considered sacred.
Church Shootings
In May 2018 Aaron Earls wrote concerning the recent increase in school and church violence:
The Washington Post lists 220 school shootings—59 of which involved at least one fatality—since the Columbine attack on April 20, 1999.
During the same time period, there have been 18 fatal church shootings. The deadliest was the 2017 shooting at First Baptist Sutherland Springs in Texas, with 26 deaths including an unborn child.
And then there was this:
The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting was a mass shooting that occurred at Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation[a] in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2018, while Shabbat morning services were being held. Eleven people were killed and seven were injured. (Wikipedia)
Our children realize that violence is coming to places that once were considered safe. This creates a huge burden. They have become burden walkers. They may not talk about it with you but they think about it in the quiet moments. But there is so much more to their concerns.
If we talked about the increase of natural disasters, harmful effects of greed on our food supply, a powerful few making decisions that hurt the seemingly powerless many, and so many other issues we could easily write a book about this burden that our children face. Maybe we have dealt with our anxiety by immersing ourselves in social media or music. Maybe we are taking it out on a punching bag in the gym, or maybe we overeat and gaze endlessly into our television screens. We need to find help for them and for ourselves if we would make it through these trying times.
Therefore we MUST equip them with the faith that has kept our forefathers. I listen daily to my mother’s stories-really testimonies, of how our Heavenly Father has taken care of her. I am encouraged by her faith and the stories of how the Holy Spirit gives her ideas that solve her problems. And then I marvel at the strength she has to face incredible difficulties. When she works seemingly tirelessly to take care of my ailing stepfather I am amazed. She says her strength all comes from her relationship with her Father in heaven. I want what she has…and I want my children to have it too.
In the 12th Chapter of Revelation we learn that the there was war in heaven and that the devil was defeated and cast out. He now is here on earth and angry because he knows that he has a short time. So he takes it out on us. He wants to hurt us so he attacks our children. He attacks our families. He moves his servants to create toxic environments that will destroy God’s beautiful image in us.
But there are a few who stand tall despite his attacks. Verse 11 of Chapter 12 says “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Those who overcome the devil and his angels are those who accept the salvation and power that is theirs by the blood of Jesus Christ. Not only that, but they share their stories much like my mother does with those they interact with about the powerful God they serve and the mighty love he shows that takes care of their every need. And they aren’t afraid to die for their faith in Him.
Burden Bearers
So why don’t we lift the burdens of our children? Jesus said:
28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am[a]gentle and lowly in heart,and you will find rest for your souls.30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
When we give our lives to Him he agrees to take our burden. He carries our load. Then our responsibility is to look to Him and follow his lead. He in turn promises to give us rest.
Acts 1:8 tells us:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Jesus promised the gift of his Holy Spirit to his followers of all generations. This is the source of power and the wisdom that we need. God’s Holy Spirit will help us.
So let us give our burdens to Jesus and trust Him. Let us teach our children to do the same. And then let us take up His yoke and follow Him!
