We're One Generation Away

In my One Year Bible reading I've come to the book of Judges. There are times as I read in this book that I cringe. One such moment occurred recently.

Judges 2:10 - "After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel."

Does that stir anyone else like it does me? It prompts me to ask if I'm making sure to pass on a Godly legacy to those around me.

Earlier, the Israelites were told to follow God's commands and to constantly have those before their children, as well as the stories of what God had done on their behalf. So what happened? The parents didn't do as they promised and were instructed.

These parents were to told to talk about God's commands when they woke up and when they went to bed. They were to discuss them as they walked along the roads. There were some little reminders to prompt the children to ask questions. Things like piles of stones carried from the middle of a pathway through a river.

The responsibility was given to the parents to carry on the ways of God. But somewhere, somehow they totally failed. Did they simply become complacent? Did they take it all for granted or think they had brought themselves out and into a new land? Did they think the children would just "catch on" to knowing God and His ways? Or did they allow the kids to decide if they wanted to know the commands or not?

Whatever it was that caused these parents to drop the ball led to evil and God being angry. He let other nations run them over.

Let's face forward to today - 2017. Are we a people who teaches our children about God and His Son? Or do we think they'll "catch on" if we take them to church for one hour on Sunday? Do we not find God's ways relevant enough to pass on? Do we think we are where we are today because of what we've done?

Sweet Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I truly believe that we are always that one generation away from not knowing God and His Son, and what has been done for us. I pray that we won't fall into any of the traps of complacency or arrogance. The next generation is relying upon us to teach them about God and His Son.

God forbid that it be written of us that when we pass, our children don't know the Lord or follow Him. Everything written in God's Word is for instructing us and warning us. This warning seems to scream at me from Judges 2.

To think we're only one generation away ...

Live More Like a Lyric?

Recently a blog I follow written by Emily P. Freeman contained a quote that stuck out to me.

"I want to live my life less like a list and more like a lyric."

I shared the quote on my Facebook timeline but didn't go into my thinking about it. The quote made me think so much that I posted it on the small board right next to my desk.

Admittedly, I'm a list person. My hubby would roll his eyes and nod vigorously about that. In fact I'm a very planned and organized person. Close to the OCD level.

My clothes are chosen and ready for the next morning each night before I go to bed. A rather extensive list of "to dos" awaits me at my desk each day when I arrive home from my part-time job at an elementary school. That list is usually too much for the time I have in the afternoon. But I continue to make that unaccomplishable list.

But living by a list definitely cuts down on going with suddenly inspired activities. I mean, if it's not on my list, I can't do it. Right? Am I missing out on meaningful moments because my head is tucked, starring at my list?

This quote tends to convict me a bit. Let's face it. A beautiful lyric is much more appealing than a list. A lyric has meaning. A lyric is inspired expression.

So in the context of my life, a list existence would be just checking off the activities of my day then doing it again and again. Meaning comes from completing.

For my life to be a lyric I would need to watch the Composer's direction. Be more in tune with what God wants me to accomplish in my day and in my life. Meaning comes from being in tune with His plan for me and realizing what He created me to do.

The more I think on this quote, the more meaning it has for me. I know that I don't want to finish this life and show God my list, saying, "Look what I did." I'm sure what He prefers is for the lyric of my life to bring glory to Him - sweet music in His ears.

What do you think about this quote? Please join the conversation in the comments.