I have written this post for my children and for all those
in the generations to come.
Whenever elections come around I think of my mom. Whenever there is an opportunity to exercise
my right to vote it is a given that I will get a call from my mom. Since my college
days she calls me before the election to ensure that I know where to vote
and then afterwards to confirm that I have voted. So this Sunday afternoon I took advantage of early voting
and made my way to the closest voting location. There were only a few cars in the parking lot and no line
inside the building. I asked if
they had had many voters and they said it had been steady. My observation of the voter turn out
was slow and steady. I voted and left with a sense of
patriotic pride, knowing that I had acted on a right to express my opinion, my
beliefs, and my values. But, my
pride soon turned to a deep sense of sadness as I thought of that sparse
parking lot. Where were all the
people? Why were they not taking
advantage of this great freedom and right to choose our leaders and express our
will concerning how our country is governed? Then I realized that this is an
indication of a greater problem – an apathy and complacency to be informed of
truth and a fear of speaking out the truth we profess to believe.
Just as my mom was faithful to instruct and encourage me to
use my right to vote, I desire to faithfully encourage and instruct my children
and future grandchildren to know the truth and then to boldly believe it, live
it, and speak it. Jesus told His
disciples, “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you
hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but
are unable to kill the soul . . . Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before
men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I
will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:27,28,32)
Just as the mother of King Lemuel taught her son, I proclaim
to my children to “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the
unfortunate. Open your mouth,
judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.” (Proverbs
31:8-9) My passion is simmering as I write these words – a passion to see my
children walk and talk the truth. In
Ecclesiastes it says, “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes
3:7) In order to speak out concerning your faith, you must first be silent
enough to learn what it is you believe!
Silence before the Lord is a necessary discipline if you truly want to
know Him and make Him known.
Paul, as Timothy’s spiritual father, instructed him with
these words, “Be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the
words of the faith and of the sound doctrine . . . have nothing to do with
worldly fables fit for old women.
On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness, for
bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all
things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to
come.” (1 Timothy 4:6-8) I echo these words to my
children and to all those in the generations to come that they would be life
long students of the Word of God, who live out what they learn and boldly speak
in defense of His truth. Life
really is not about how many causes you can get behind, but it is about hearing
His voice, learning His truth and living your life for His cause. I will have no greater joy and delight than in seeing and hearing you walk in The Truth.
Time is short, life is brief, live it loudly for the
Lord! I pray that each time you
have an opportunity to speak up for the cause of Christ, you will not shrink
back, but will speak the truth in love.
I also hope you will think of me and hear my voice saying, “Press on to
know Him in silence and speak of Him with boldness.”
Truth in Love,
Mom
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