Next Generation Ministry Blog

I've had lots of conversations lately with parents who, frankly, are stressed out!  Like...crazy stressed out.  Panic attack stressed out.  I hear things like, "I've got one too many things to do." which is code for "I have 25 too many things to do."  Or, "I don't know where that's gonna fit in our calendar."  Or, "my husband and I are taxiing kids all over the State of Michigan...maybe we'll see each other on Friday."

I get it...I've been there (and I'm sure I'll be there again); when life lacks balance, when peace seems like a far-fetched reality, and when everything takes priority. 

But, here's the truth: when everything takes priority, nothing takes priority.   

Every task, every appointment, every sporting event, every church meeting, every hobby, every book club, every email, every load of laundry, every bible study, every letter to write, every gift to buy...they compete to be the bottom line.  They all want to be the priority.  And so we attempt to make them all the priority...which means none of them are the priority.  NONE OF THEM are the day's bottom line.

Ask yourself: if I only got to do one thing today, what would it be (if you're having a hard time choosing, that should tell you something)?  

I've been talking about Deuteronomy 6 a lot lately: in our 3rd Grade Stepping Stone, in our Faith Mapping Confirmation Module, in my office with parents who are "stressed to the max."  

In it, Moses gives instruction to the Israelites for keeping the bottom line the bottom line.  You see, Moses know that as soon as Israel enters into the promised land, everything in that new place will be competing for their attention.  Everything will want to be a priority.  Everything will want to be the bottom line.  And when everything is the bottom line, then nothing is the bottom line.  Here's his instruction to keep the bottom line, the bottom line:

1. There is only one God, and HE IS OUR God.
2. Love Him with everything that you are
3. Talk about his mighty saving work, when you get up, when you walk along the road, when you sit down to eat and when you lie down.  Talk about his saving work...ALL THE TIME. 

In other words, God is the bottom line.  And in order to keep that in the forefront of your mind, to keep it the priority, Moses instructs us to talk about it all the time.    The weaponry of the kingdom is our testimony of God's saving work, his Son and our Lord Jesus Christ.  

In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis portrays two demons with the malicious intent in wreaking havoc in the life of Christians, assigned to them by their dark master.  The demon in charge notes: “It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”

Perhaps this is the truth we need to hear.  It's not that enemy has placed too many things in our minds, but rather, has kept the bottom line out.

The bottom line matters! Jesus, and his saving work, is the remedy for every ill, the victor over every battle, the one who conquers every act and dominion of evil.  

Let us rediscover the bottom line - and then, let us talk about Him ALL THE TIME.  If you don't where to start, let me give you some suggestions:

1. Find a local church where they are radically committed to preaching and teaching Jesus.
2. Find a group of people with whom you can be honest as you seek Jesus together.