From the VCC Newsletter on 1/6/2020: Confidence for the Future

Welcome to the roaring twenties of the twenty-first century. As we enter the third decade of this century, I am reminded that 1999 ended in great fear over the Y2K bug. Then, in 2009, we found ourselves in a global economic crisis. In contrast, we left 2019 somewhat confident that good days are ahead and with cautious optimism for the future. This has caused me to ponder the role of faith in the face of fear. 

Humanly speaking, fear is the fight or flight mechanism that protects us from our enemies and from danger. It is the genetic component in our drive to survive. Despite the bad reputation that fear has in our society, it is actually healthy and the sign of real courage. General Swartzkoph once said that the only person who scares him was a man who was never afraid. Another American icon, John Wayne once said, “courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”

Likewise, the Bible tells us that fear is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. Only a fool lacks fear. You see, fear is not a lack of faith. Like any other emotion, it warns us of danger. It is meant to trigger a response of prayer, of seeking God’s face for what is ahead of us. Sometimes, God tells us to run and hide- like he did with David, when King Saul sought his life. Sometimes, God calls us to stand- like he did with Gideon, while facing overwhelming odds. It is important that no matter how great the army, or how small, the difference between victory and failure was always following the leading of God. When men felt strong, but broke faith with God, in Joshua 7, the armies of Israel failed, despite being more numerous than the armies of Ai. The issue wasn’t if the odds were in their favor, but whether they were in favor with God. 

So as we look toward this next decade, with a national election looming large, huge cultural shifts having occupied so much of our attention in the past decade, it is important that our confidence is grounded not in our social or cultural norms, or even in our economic strength, but in the living God. Faith is not the absence of fear, nor is it the good vibes we get when things are going our way. It is confidence that God will not abandon us, whatever the circumstances, good or bad. 

With great faith, I am looking forward to 2020 with you- confident that God is at work among us. 

Grace and peace,

Hal   

From the VCC Newsletter on 10/29: Train up A Child

I have mentioned many times that American Christians are not very fond of wisdom literature because it does not give us prescriptions for life's struggles. Nevertheless, we quote it out of context, as it suits us. One of the texts often quoted out of context, and  the cause of great frustration, is Proverbs 22.6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

In context the verse is more about equipping a child toward his or her natural inclinations rather than about setting a direction for them. It has little to do with children following the ways of the Lord. The primary idea is if we recognize the natural gifting, likes, or inclinations of a child and reinforce those things (through training, support, and encouragement) then the child will continue in that direction.  For example, if a child is naturally gifted in music and they like it, then equipping them will be fruitful.  On the other hand when we try and force kids into a predetermined mold (i.e., Dad is a plumber so his son is going to be a plumber) then children tend to get defiant. It does not mean we shouldn’t push our kids to try things or encourage them to pursue something not natural to them, but it is simply a recognition that when these things come together it makes for a lifelong blessing.  

What I would say to young parents is do not push things just because your kid shows interest in something. For instance, my Dad thought I should be a lawyer because I had such a big heart for justice issues (defending the defenseless), and I was pretty argumentative when I thought something was unjust. However, I also loved to study ancient history and languages, and I was naturally inclined to spend time with and help people. I never imagined ministry would fit me so well. I know now it was my calling, and I have enjoyed it for the last 30 years. Parents, don’t feel like you have to nurture every inclination. Don’t push when they show interest. Instead encourage them when you see interest, and never shy away from helping them to explore. In the end, don’t push an agenda, even if they like it or are gifted; you may chase them away from the very calling God has put on their lives.