During the summer my children enjoy working with their 4-H cattle. They give the cattle a bath, blow dry them, and comb them until they are show ready. The kids lead each animal with a halter, pet them, and care for their every need. Even after being out to pasture for several months, when the kids call their names, they come running for the gate for a scratch behind the ears. A bond has been developed that won’t quickly go away.
This spring, two of the heifers had babies. After each calf was born, they had to be separated from their mom to check their health and give them an ear tag. Even with the kids by the gate trying to comfort the momma cow, she was clearly agitated and did not want to trust anyone with her baby calf. Each time they entered the pen, the cow was certain to stay between them and their beloved calf.
While watching this happen, I was struck by the similarities of humans and animals to protect their young. As a parent, I do everything I can to protect my children from the things the world yells at them as acceptable and okay. My desire is that they would listen to me and obey my requests.
As a follower of Christ, I know that God wants nothing more than to protect me from the ways of the world also. His greatest desire is that I may listen to the requests He has prepared for me in advance. For many years I told the world I was a Christian and yet did what the world told me was acceptable. I went to church, helped out where I was needed, and did my best to act like a Christian should. Yet I felt as though something was missing, and had a desire in my heart for more.
Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
God gives us guidelines to follow in living a life pleasing to Him, but He wants more than just “good people.” The Bible is more than an instruction manual to living a good life and someday being part of God’s Kingdom. We are in God’s Kingdom here on earth now and God instructs us to follow Jesus’ example.
Yes, God wants us to trust and love Him, but He desires us to be His disciples, too. As a disciple in Christ, we need to learn to live our life like Jesus would if He were to slip into our shoes. God wants us to do so much more than just believe His Word, He wants us to be doers of His Word. We are part of God’s plan to build up His church. Not only is our job as a parent to instruct and protect our children, but more importantly it is to disciple them to be little disciples spreading the love of God throughout the Kingdom right here on earth. We need to teach our children that being in Heaven with God one day is not our only purpose in following Christ.
We can only be gently corrected and steered in the right direction by God if we have a relationship with Him so we can hear His familiar voice when He calls. Only then can we begin to lead others to know who their Savior is. Paul instructed the church in Corinth to “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) Paul left us the example of studying the scriptures, meditation, and prayer. We are to do the same.
For myself, this was a new lifestyle. I have done my best to be a whole new identity in Christ, and leave my old life behind. Everyday more and more of my old self is left behind and it is my prayer that more and more of me is a reflection of my God, my Savior – my one true love, Jesus Christ.
Becky Ossefoort