The Kitchen Floor

There is an amazing homeschool conference called Teach Them Diligently that travels throughout the United States. They have a huge vendor fair and amazing speakers. The year we were able to attend Tony Evans was the keynote speaker, and he focused on being a representative of the Kingdom here on Earth. His message was simple, we are like referees, the field in the world, and we represent something bigger than one of us. A referee doesn’t make the rules of the game, they are simply the ones who help guide and enforce. Please don’t mesh this idea with the concept we have a right to judge the world, because there is some bad theology in the latter. Referees represent the ones who have designed the sport, decided what rules would make the game fair, and make sure the ones they are entrusted with play accordingly.

Genesis 1:26 tells us we were created in the image of God. A direct representation of Christ to the world. We are not people who make the rules for the game, but we are called to represent something bigger than ourselves. We help guide and protect those under our care on the field we have been assigned to. This is a beautiful picture of Godly leadership. My husband used to referee high school football and every year he would get the current handbook and study it for months, so he was caught up on even the slightest changes in the game. If he isn’t aware of the rules, he runs the risk of making the wrong call on plays, and ultimately deeply impacting the outcome of the game. He would also loose his spot on the A-squads, making a fool of himself, and the organization. In the same way we have to study the Word of God. While it is never changing, it is alive! We continue to learn as the Holy Spirit reveals deeper truths to us through studying scripture. It would be impossible to live set apart without an understanding of the role God has assigned to us as His image bearers. Romans 12:2

If you are blessed with the opportunity to have kids, their foundation of how they view God is on what type of parents they have, mostly the Father. Everyone naturally bases their judgement of God’s nature off what their earthly father has been like. Some people view him as a guy on a cloud waiting to strike them with lightening bolts, because their dads were always judging them, or just coming in with punishment, not a true relationship. Some people like myself, know that God has the ability to do all things, but our natural way of thinking says that although he may have the ability, he may choose not to do that for us, because we watched our parents sacrifice everything for others, and yet in the moments we needed them most, they were busy attending others needs and oblivious to ours. Some people believe God doesn’t care about them, because their earthly dad hasn’t cared about them in years, if ever. Some view Him as hypothetical, because their father was fully absent. Some are deeply wanting to hear the Father’s approval and that they are enough because their father lacked an ability to speak affirmation and acceptance over them. In all these scenarios we have to remember that our heavenly father is nothing like our earthly fathers. Our Heavenly Father is a tender, loving, ABBA. He is kind, and strong, He is our defender, and our place to run to when everything seems to be in chaos. He’s not too busy, distant, or a workaholic. He hushes angels to hear us speak, He is leaning into us right here, right now, waiting to for you to reach your arms up so he can hold you in close enough you can hear his heartbeat and get lost in his greatness. 2 Thessalonians 2:16

This is the type of representative of heaven our goal should be. To be loving, kind, extending a strong hand to those reaching for help. But instead of our help we can direct them to the Father, who loves them deeply and has a greater ability to help them than we could ever imagine. You can walk with your head up, with confidence in God, that He is with you, and you will reflect him in all your interactions. John 13:35 Galatians 5:13

I’m going to refill my water bottle before the next set of little arms in my house is reaching up to be held. I cherish being needed and wanted by them in this season, because one day they won’t depend on me for their needs anymore. I pray my representation of nurture, safety, security, and grace during these years will plant the seeds for them to run to the Lord when they are out from under our roof. I also need to model humility, forgiveness, and repentance in my own walk with the Lord so they are never afraid to approach the throne or admit they were wrong. No small task, but I wasn’t asked to do it in my own strength, and you aren’t expected to do it alone either. John 14:26