I am starting to see the concepts of delight directed / passions in our children, in a different light these days. No longer do I see them (their passions) as an end in themselves a passion to direct their path but rather, I see them (their passions) as a tool to promote the passions that God wants us to have that is, the passions God wants our children to have.
I believe the Great Commission is the passion that is on Gods heart for us. This is the passion I believe we are to be driven by. My job, as a parent who is discipling our children, is to excite this passion in their hearts. My job as a parent is to know the bents and inclinations of my children and to use those very passions in preparing them for going out into all the world and making disciples.
For example: Our oldest son has a passion for history, archaeology and Creation. I believe that we can use these passions to prepare him to be able to give answer to those seeking, especially those of an academic mind. It is important he has a heart for these people and that he has the tools to be able to communicate Jesus to them.
Our second daughter is all about domesticity. Hospitality is her thing. It is important for us as parents to give her the tools and the heart to be able to open heart and home, to serve and bless those God puts in her path and for her to be able to lead them to Jesus.
Our third daughter is our Arty one. My prayer for her would be that she would learn to stand tall, to stand strong on the Word so that she can go into the artistic world and be a light for God.
Our forth child is still very young and we are not sure of the passions beating in his heart he builds, he makes and he loves Space. We dont know the opportunities that are there for him, but there are, there will be, opportunities to make disciples in any field of life that he ends up taking.
And this is really the point it doesnt matter what the child does with their life as far as a career goes- God will use them wherever, whenever, however if their hearts want Him too. The earthly passions that we see in our children now may well change and change several times during their life. My job as a parent is to develop in them a desire to see the people around them meet Jesus and have their lives changed.
Go out into all the world and make disciples. Is this the passion that drives our family?
