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Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we are imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
-I Corinthians 9:24-27
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. Do your best to come to me soon.
-II Timothy 4:7-9
The nature of my job is such that I spend a lot of time talking to parents about kids… their kids, other people’s kids, all kids, my own kids.
There’s a lot of comparing and strategizing and tip-sharing, questions and theories. One thing we all do is marvel at great kids and wonder how they turned out that way. In my years of experience, I have observed and tell parents that good kids are born that way (as are the wonderful challenging ones). But great kids? That’s parenting. And by parenting, I mean the parents, the grandparents, the mentors, the coaches, the church the family chooses to be a part of, the role models, etc. And parents choose a LOT of that.
When we reach this time of year, I think about that a lot. At each graduation, ceremony, and celebration, we lift up some students and kids as special, achievers, leaders. Our society holds up students that have been, or they think have potential to be successful. The Church is different, and should be. We hold up discipleship, following Christ, rather than what is culturally considered successful. I thought of this as we celebrated our servant leader grad this past Sunday. She has distinguished herself among her peers as one who serves others. She serves her classmates and younger kids, caring for children, mentoring, being an Elder, setting an example, and showing up with great commitment to youth, worship, Bible studies, service projects, and serving the homeless. That’s great parenting. That’s great Church.
As parents and faith family, we have a mighty responsibility to prioritize showing our kids how to worship, how to serve others in need, how to show up, and why… who and whose they are. The world tells us that it’s a sprint to college or a first job, that success is measured by achievements in academics, sports, and the arts. But scripture tells us that the world is full of lies and distractions from following the call to serve God first. Scripture tells us that our race is a marathon. Preparing kids for lifelong spiritual success is a challenging process of saying no even more than saying yes. We have to say no to Sunday commitments that take us from worship, no to some opportunities that prevent them from forming relationships with other young believers and spiritual mentors, no to prioritizing skills and achievements over serving people in need. It’s very hard work indeed. But it’s the difference between the good and the great. And we need a world filled with great kids becoming devoted disciples.
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