Balancing Family Life with Faith

Balancing Family Life with Faith

The Bible’s vivid portrayal in Jeremiah 7:18a “The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes,” paints an image of a cohesive family working in harmony. This unity, while admirable, however, was in service to an idol rather than God. In today’s context, amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, families can sometimes prioritize worldly goals over spiritual ones. What lessons can we draw to ensure our family remains grounded in faith?

In the relentless pursuit of success, families spend significant time and resources on education and extracurricular activities. Parents shuttle between appointments, ensuring that their children are well-rounded. Church and spiritual commitments often take a back seat. While it’s natural for parents to be proud of their children’s accomplishments— “the crown of old men” as Proverbs 17:6 states—it’s vital to reflect on the true foundation upon which we are building our family’s values.

Biblical tales like that of Isaac and Esau or Samson serve as sober reminders. These figures might have provided for their families materially, but the spiritual void and misdirection in their actions caused profound grief. We must ask ourselves: What legacy are we truly leaving for our children? Will it be one grounded in faith or one that might lead them astray?

In Jeremiah’s time, families unknowingly propagated idol worship through seemingly innocent actions. Similarly, the contemporary family can unknowingly promote the “god of this age” by prioritizing worldly pursuits over spiritual values. If we, as parents, fail to provide spiritual guidance, our children, like the young boys in Jeremiah’s time, might follow a path misaligned with God’s teachings.

True faith is not merely an intellectual agreement but a personal relationship with God, cultivated through experience. Just as Jacob’s faith matured from merely acknowledging the God of his fathers to recognizing Him as his personal provider, our children must also develop a personalized faith. Abraham serves as an exemplary figure, whose unwavering trust and obedience in God allowed his family, particularly Sarah and Isaac, to experience God’s miracles firsthand. His actions not only reaffirmed his faith but also deepened the faith of his family.

In conclusion, the essence of family unity is not just working together but working together in service to the right purpose. It’s our responsibility as parents to guide our families towards a life rooted in God’s teachings. We should aspire for our family’s actions to reflect Christ’s image, allowing those around us to experience God’s grace. By prioritizing spiritual growth and weaving God into our daily lives, we lay a foundation ensuring our family’s legacy is one of faith and divine blessings.

I invite you to join us on this journey of faith and for the enrichment of your family life by taking the first step in attending our Fall Evangelical Services and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC) from September 14 to 17, 2023 at our church.

Our church is located at:

4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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For online streaming, please click here.

For regular service hours, please click here.

Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org