It’s the day after Father’s day. I came across this short message from John Piper some time ago and saved it for today because it really challenged me as a father.
The world we live in is constantly telling our kids that they should have whatever they want. Not only that, but they should have it without cost. They are told that believing in themselves is the key to a good life, when in reality it’s belief in God that is the key. It’s not self esteem they need, but God esteem. As Christian parents, we often find ourselves competing with the world views of teachers, tv marketing, Barbie and Oprah.
We must remember that we are not trying to remove our children’s ambitions and dreams. We don’t want to break their spirits. What we should be doing is giving them holy ambitions: dreams and desires that coincide with God’s desires. Their selfish ambitions must be replaced by God’s ambitions because the “good” is the enemy of the “best”.
Isn’t that how they will live fulfilled lives anyway?
[tags]John Piper, Holy Ambition, Father’s Day, fatherhood, parenting, youtube[/tags]
