After I dropped off the kids at school I was listening to Family Life on the radio, they were talking with two moms who both had sons who got into drugs. They both talked about the environment their sons grew up in, the changes in their sons outward appearance and their friends before they started using, when they became enslaved to drugs, and finally the rode out. I was struck when one mom didn't know what to say to help other parents from having their son or daughter go down this rode, because they thought they had done everything right. What struck me is the mindset that I heard which now became evident as I put it against the backdrop of Psalm 127 (especially verses 4 & 5) and the revelations shared by Ed Silvoso many years back. Through these verses Ed Silvoso painted a very different picture than what most Christian parents attempt to do. Ed was on the front lines of ministry in South America where demonic manifestations were common and there was all kinds of evil but he was really concerned with his kids being led astray by the world while they were raised in Los Angeles. The revelation the Lord gave to Ed was that his children were like arrows in the hands of the warrior but he had never fired them in battle but instead was protecting them from worldly influences. Rather than his children being part of the Lord's plan to overthrow the works of the Enemy (vs. 5), so he took his kids with him to minister in these dark place in South America and saw their faith grow. I believe that while we want to protect our kids, there is also a subtle temptation to begin to build on fear and thus not move in faith. Let's face it all of us know that faith grows in the midst of adversity, difficulty, challenge, and impossibilities. I heard one pastor say you know where you are in the war based on what you talk about and what you complain about, those who are not in the battle complain about not having enough popcorn or the move is not what they want. If you are on the front lines you are in a place of constant dependence on the Lord for resources and empowerment. As I listened to these very dear mothers who struggling so profoundly with these boys, I realized they we as believers don't expect to have victory over drugs we just hope our kids are not involved. How sad that our vision has become hoping to make it out of the this world, rather than overcome the world through the manifestation of God's Kingdom. The thought hit me that if when my kids are older I am afraid they may be into drugs, that it would be powerful to somehow have them be a part of helping others get free of bondage to drugs. In this way they would see the ruined lives, the bondage, the loss, and the battle to be free up close. I believe there are way too many kids that are not protected by their parents, yet when this protection becomes dependent on ourselves and not God I believe it becomes destructive. Jeremiah 17:5 tells us that there is a curse when we trust in man or ourselves, we need to begin to see how truly dangerous it is to rely on ourselves rather than trust God. Instead we often build fortress of protection around our kids believing we are trusting God only to have terrible consequences. It is a hard truth that Grace does not take away our free will or the consequences of sowing to the flesh. I can see why Jesus rebuked the church at Laodecia for having lukewarm beliefs, because I believe all out passion for Jesus and His Kingdom is the best protection from the evils of this world. I realize there are no guarantees in this world but I do believe the only guarantees are Heavenly, we can realize these through the promises of God for us on the earth. God is absolutely faithful to do what He says He will do.
Warrior in Christ,
Bret
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