Who and Whose are our Kids and How do we let Them Know?
The world and its evolving definitions of “cool” and “successful” will always be a temptation for us and our kids to look to for worth and satisfaction. Braxton points us back to scripture for how we can remind our kids where their true value is found.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
American culture likes to define success by grades, degrees, salary figures, and the amount of material objects one can accumulate. We don’t have to look far into the wisdom writings in the Scriptures to see that even the wealthiest most prosperous of all time, King Solomon, is still left dissatisfied operating outside of the context of God’s love.
Even as we are tempted to find our identity in things of this world, thankfully for us, God’s Word is full of encouragement, and affirmation that the identity we seek is actually found in Him. We belong to Him, and we are His; there is no better way to remind our kiddos of this than to look at the way the Scriptures validate it.
Here are a few things to remind our kids:
- You are a friend of Jesus (John 15:15). Humans long for friendship and community. If we are told specifically and without hesitation in God’s Word we are invited into friendship with Him, then our desire should change from a need to find friends to a drive to be a friend. Call others friends, show them the love Jesus shows us. Jesus calls us a friend of His, there is no better friend to have.
- You are a part of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27). Be it a sports team, academic club, or group of friends, we all long to be a part of something bigger than we are as individuals. God’s Word tells us we are a part of His body of believers…there’s no skillset required, no cutting from the team, no unfair coach or referee – just a loving Father who wants to bless us and bless others through us.
- You are equipped and gifted by Him (Ephesians 1:3). We also live in a culture that loves to compare. Compare looks, intelligence, skills – the list goes on. God’s Word tells us He is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17), and He is the one who equips us to do good works in His name (Hebrews 13:20, 21). We should be confident in knowing He is the one who uniquely crafted each and every one of us in His image, and with individual giftings to use for His glory and honor.
Jesus calls us His friend, reassures us we are a part of Him, and equips us with everything we need for life and godliness. We can remind our kids of these truths so they can walk in confidence as to who and Whose they are.
Camper Corner:
God’s Word says you are a friend of Jesus, a part of His body of believers, and you are equipped by Him. What are some ways you can remind yourself of all the good and encouraging things your God and Father in Heaven says about you when the world says something different?
