Would You Still Say 'Yes, Lord'?

This summer has been flying by, even in my effort to take it slow. It's been a pretty typical summer with the addition of one weekly gathering that my son started back in May. While the gathering started in May, it was in the works long before.

To start at the beginning, we have to go back to the past December when I talked to our sons about starting a Bible Study for young people in the late high school/college age bracket. Having my own sons in that age group, I am seeing first hand the challenges to their faith and growing their relationship with Jesus. At the time, they thought a Bible Study was a good idea, especially if their dad cooked for the group. However, they weren't confident that anyone beyond a couple friends would join in. There is something about starting a new venture that we tend to need confidence in the success of it before we step out and give it a try. You've likely heard the question before, what would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail? It takes real courage to go against the grain, swim upstream and do something that others may think is crazy. I could see them both standing on the edge of a path that God had laid out before them but stepping out on such a path for seasoned adults is not easy. It's even more difficult for young people.

I began praying for a fire to start within this age group in our area and that my kids and others in their friends circle would seek God and join in. I prayed for adults to come into their lives that would pour into them because we know our own kids will listen to others better than they listen to their parents. I prayed...and I saw little things happening. Discussions being had with friends. Sparks of the Holy Spirit moving and working. Questions being asked. Never assume that things will get easier for your kids when they gain strength in their faith. That's when the Enemy will go after them harder and more intently than ever. How do I know?

A week before my son's high school graduation, the bottom fell out. As I shared previously, my son had his biggest stumble and it landed him in jail overnight. I still can't put into words what I felt that night. I was so overwhelmed with so many extreme feelings that all I could do was pray and give it to God. I gave it ALL to Him. All my feelings of failure, frustration, anger, exhaustion, fear...ALL of it had to be given to Him in order for me to SEE HIM IN IT. Once I gave it all up, God stepped in and showed me how to respond, how to parent, how to walk through it beside my son, and how to give grace...grace isn't free of consequences...grace gives purpose beyond the consequences. God showed up for me as He has over and over again in my life....And then He showed up for my son.

The Sunday after this happened, we went to church and there my son met his Jesus unlike any other time in his life...unlike when he was baptized, unlike any time at youth conferences, or mission trips. He experienced God in a very personal and real way...a way that changes people and emboldens people. Someday, maybe he'll share about that Sunday he experienced God. I don't know the details but I know the change we saw. The weight that was lifted, the shift in his mindset, and a focus on the One who sat with him at his lowest and picked him up. He started inviting friends for a weekly Bible Study and this group has grown in numbers and, most importantly, they've grown in their relationship with God and each other.

One night, as I was cleaning up the kitchen after their dinner, I was thinking about how cool it was to have 10 young men in our basement pouring over the Word. Then, God interrupted my thoughts with a question...If you knew back in the winter that in order for this weekly study to happen, your son would have to go through the public scrutiny, judgement, and humiliation of a poor decision, would you still say, Yes, Lord? .....Woah. I stopped washing dishes and sat quietly as I thought about this question. I wanted to say, Yes, Lord, I would allow my son to suffer again, and my heart to ache like that again....but let's be honest. I don't know that I would say, Yes, Lord. Instead, I would likely say, Let's negotiate. Oh, how often the try to negotiate with God...often without even realizing what we're doing, especially when it come to those we love the most.

God's not asking us to lay our children on an alter and physically sacrifice them, like Abraham and Isaac. However, He is likely asking something of you. Perhaps nudging you to a path that is not something you've ever thought was a path you would take. Maybe the choices of others, or just the hardships of life, have put you on a path you don't want to be on. Hang on to Him, friend. Give it all to Him.

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2

Yes, Lord...