forward, backward, or still unfolding?

Forward, Backward or Still Unfolding?
Phillipians 3:8


More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.


In one of Charles Shultz's "Peanuts" cartoons, Charlie Brown was sitting in a deck chair near the front of a large boat when Lucy walked up. "Some people go through life with their deck chair facing forward, gazing out where they are going," Lucy said philosophically. "Others go through life with their deck chair facing backwards, looking at where they've been." Then, looking directly into Charlie Brown's sunglasses, she asked him, "Charlie Brown, which way is your deck chair facing?"
Charlie Brown shrugged his shoulders, "I really don't know-I've never been able to get my deck chair unfolded!"

In these days when family issues have become not only a major issue for private citizens but also in political campaigns, Christians need to get their deck chairs unfolded. Unfortunately, many people have not taken a thoughtful look at what they believe in as family values and, even more important, the basis for those beliefs.

But with our culture in crisis over the issue, this is not a time to be struggling with our deck chairs. We need to be speaking up in the political arena and the marketplace about what matters.

A few years ago, when our whole family was in the car, I asked the kids what they thought our family values were. The words started popping furiously like premium popcorn. Here's what they said:

God, limited TV, responsibilities, chores, friendship, kindness, respectful speaking, education, church, encouragement, servanthood, obedience, discipline, sharing, giving, boundaries, keeping your word, home life, prayer, perseverance, doing what you're supposed to do, love, dignity of kids, food and shelter, spending time with each other, resolving conflicts, forgiveness, physical affection, our siblings, laughter, having fun together, memorizing verses, wholesome speaking, reading, wise council.

Barbara and I were pleasantly surprised by what our kids had to say. Perhaps we were getting through to these kids after all!


Prayer:


Ask God to help you clarify your values as a person and as a family. Ask Him for His favor in building those values into one another's lives.
Discuss: If you have kids, ask them the same question: What do you think our family's values are?