The Corinthians struggled with the secular nature of their environment and how to implement their faith and practices in such a hedonistic society.  Paul writes two epistles to them to help them focus on the proper things and to learn how to be “in this world, but not of it.” (Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:15)

Although homeschooling has grown and become tolerated in some sectors of our society, it is clearly a denial of the established patterns of our society in that we do not rely upon the “experts” to guide us; instead we rely upon THE expert, our Lord and Savior.

Standing firm in the face of disapproving relatives, friends, acquaintances and society in general is difficult.  Sometimes we face disapproval from other homeschool families when we aren’t doing things like they are or as they deem appropriate.  We all want to be liked and enjoy stress-less relationships, but that’s difficult when something as big as our worldview and how to raise our children for Christ comes between us and others.  It definitely is an opportunity for us to grow in prayer (Mark 4:26-20) for them and for our families and ourselves.

It takes courage to step out of the familiar and take tremulous steps down a new pathway whose ending we can’t quite see or guarantee.  In faithful obedience, we begin this journey of homeschooling because of the proclamations of our Lord, trusting in Him (Proverbs 3:5-7).  Courage is hard to find at times because of the difficulties assaulting us and the many stress-filled situations we find ourselves dealing with.  Our resolve can be tested and we grow weary in well-doing.  (2 Thessalonians 3:13)  But as we turn to the Word, we find hope and inspiration that God uses weak sinful people to accomplish His purposes.  You can begin anew each morning (2 Corinthians 4:16) with His promise of forgiveness and hope.  (Ephesians 2:4)

Strength isn’t always about being mighty and able to physically subdue others.  It comes from an inner resolve to do what we know is right no matter the circumstances.  As others speak to you and cast doubt upon your decisions about your children and your choice to home educate them, it can sometimes seep into our confidence and cause our resolve to falter.  Sometimes we are plagued with those same doubts pestering us.  We need to speak clearly as Jesus did when He said, “Get behind Me, Satan!”  (Matthew 16:23)   Jesus was banishing Satan from interfering with His purpose on earth, whether Satan came in a direct attack or by way of those close to us.  Our strength cometh from the Lord (Psalm 19:14; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 37:39, Psalm 118:14; Habakkuk 3:19.)

Accomplishing all the above with Christian love and charity can be a hard task when we, as our old Adam nature constantly reminds us (Romans 6:6), want to avoid the situation or not confront it as it is too time intensive to invest in trying to come to a Biblical understanding of the issues.  But God calls us to fellowship with each other (Hebrews 10:25, 1 John 1:3) and so we need to make certain that we are handling those issues as we should with our fellow Christians.

All this takes times and thoughtful consideration and prayer.  Soon, however, with the help of the Holy Spirit, it becomes part of how we interact with others naturally.  Of course we are subject to failure due to our own sinful nature poking through enough times to keep us humble and reliant upon the Lord for our wisdom, strength, courage, and faith.

My prayer is that you will always turn to Him for all your needs, in repentance and thanksgiving.

Peace be with you!

Paula Anderson, President of HOME

I Corinthians 16:13-14