Do you have books on your shelves that have been there so long and are so familiar to you that you believe that you must have read them at some point but in actuality you never have? Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot is one of those books for me. I am so familiar with Elisabeth Elliot and the story of her husband Jim that I just assumed that I'd actually read this book, but in reality, I never have. So, I picked it up last night before bed and even though I forced myself to put it down after one chapter, I'm already wondering why it has taken me so long to actually read it. The first chapter has been filled with quotes from Jim's diaries and I am already so impressed and humbled by this godly man's fervor and his heavenly perspective. I could probably rewrite the chapter here if I shared every quote that impressed me, so I'll limit myself to one that seemed especially applicable to my own life.
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"Remember the last few verses of 1 Corinthians 3, 'For all things are yours...and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.' Throughout all our personality we are God's, and since God has made our whole selves, there is great joy in realizing who is our Creator. This realization is to permeate every area and level of life. In appreciation of beauty, mountains, music, poetry, knowledge, people, science---even in the tang of an apple---God is there, to reflect the joy of His presence in the believer who will realize God's purpose in all things." Pete Fleming
Recognizing God's hand in everything is such an important part of truly living a Christian life. Praising God is not something that can be relegated to Sunday morning, but it is the overflow of the awe that comes from seeing God's hand at work in the big things and in the smallest details. And knowing that "God has made our whole selves," there is freedom to be who He created us to be whether people think we are strange, weird, crazy, annoying; God gave us our personalities for a purpose and He will use them for His glory and the edification of the body of Christ. There is such peace in knowing that, and security in resting in Him and seeking His approval rather than man's! We thus present ourselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12) and ask that He would use us to accomplish His purpose, for our good and His glory.
Applying this to my homeschooling, it really doesn't matter whether others approve, I am the Lord's and He is the one that I am serving, so I will make the most of this opportunity that He has presented me with and the four beautiful children which He has entrusted to me and do my best to teach them to live a life in awe of our Creator and to learn to recognize God's purpose in all things; so that, they may live their lives to the fullest, devoted as I am to our Lord and Savior. What an awesome privilege!
Check it Out! In surfing for links for this post, I found this awesome resource from the Christian History Institute: Glimpses for Kids: Real Heroes for Today biographical news articles about numerous "heroes of the faith" with quizzes and on-line activities as well. |
