The Main Thing
Knowing in advance how a situation will play out changes behavior. Here is a simple example: when I make coffee in the evening and set it to automatic brew, it’s easier for me to pry myself out of bed to go get a cup early the next morning. Another example involves preparing for a trip. When we travel, the destination dictates what to pack and how to get there. I realize that I am a bit of an extreme planner, but I have never understood how people pack for surprise trips--do I bring a parka or a bathing suit? Snow boots or flip flops? Heels or running shoes? Both? Knowing the destination changes everything.
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”
Job 19:25-27 NLT
Nicky Gumbel, author of The Bible in One Year plan (https://www.bibleinoneyear.org) and the Vicar of HTB church in London, has this to say about these verses from the book of Job and about perspective:
“A godly leader has an eternal perspective, which gives a totally different dimension to Christian leadership. Imagine someone important coming to visit your home. You would probably do a number of things to get ready. You would get yourself ready. You would ensure others in the house were ready, and you would ensure that the house itself was ready, looking clean and tidy.
A Christian leader has an eternal perspective and hope that, ‘In the end [my redeemer] will stand upon the earth’ (v.25). Focus on getting yourself ready, getting others ready (evangelisation, discipleship and pastoral care) and getting the house ready (the revitalisation of the church and the transformation of society). These concerns are not just confined to church leaders. Christian leaders in all spheres of work and society should have these three underlying dimensions embedded in their thoughts, their decisions and their actions.”
Nicky Gumbel
An eternal perspective changes everything. We know our final destination, so we should plan and pack and conduct ourselves accordingly. What are the implications of this perspective as it pertains to parenting?
Job says first, “as for me.” We must each decide for ourselves what our perspective will be. If you decide to adopt and live out an eternal perspective, you can be certain that you will often stand alone, or feel like you are swimming upstream against a very strong current. We must proactively combat this by finding at least one like-minded mom with whom to lock arms.
An eternal perspective should spur us on to get ready personally, which involves getting our spiritual houses in order. It involves being still before God, reading Scripture and praying. It is trusting God and obeying God.
After getting ready ourselves, we must get our children ready. We first get them ready by our example: by modeling kingdom first mentality. We get them ready by consulting God with them and for them. We seek godly influences in their lives. We speak the truth in our homes and even more importantly, we live it.
An eternal perspective should also lead us to getting our houses ready. As a family, we can seek to serve others and disciple others. Our concern about the underserved and the lost should lead to action on their behalf. We can seek to transform our corner of the world, taking advantage of every opportunity God provides.
An eternal perspective in parenting is the game changer. It is the ultimate in taking the long view. It shapes every thought and informs every decision. It keeps us from dwelling only on the fleeting and from becoming entangled in concerns that may be important, but are not the most important. It keeps the main thing, the main thing.