When She or He Becomes They

As we woke up this morning, Susan and I knew that we must watch the last part of that Beth Moore DVD on the Patriarchs. She really is an anointed teacher of the word of God.

Beth continued her explanation of how Islam came out of Ishmael. Two passages she had us read were particularly relevant:

In Gen. 16, the angel of the LORD said of Ishmael: "his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers." (my emphasis)

Then in Gen. 25, in describing Ishmael's descendants: : "they lived in hostility toward all their brothers." ( Again, emphasis mine)

What was true of Ishmael became true of his descendants! It was a legacy of hostility towards others. Beth said that in the 1,300 year history of Islam, there have only been 100 years of collective peace among this group.

But then she got personal with us. She said, "What do want your descendants to be like?" I immediately thought of our kids, Aaron and Shannon. And their kids. And their children's children. Of course, Susan and I want them to love the Lord and to be great influencers for Christ. And Beth basically repeated what we were thinking. We would love for our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be faithful to the Lord.

Then came the kicker: "The type of people you want your descendants to be, be that yourselves!" In other words, if we want our children to do more than just be church-goers and believe a few facts about God, then let's not just be nominal Christians. Instead, let's ask the Lord to give us a white-hot passion for Him. To fall in love with Him more. What if we pleaded with Him to help us experience that deeply personal relationship with Christ that He offers us. And to be passionate about seeking and saving the lost.

I'm reminded of Christian biographies that I love to read. Stories of people like George Muller, that great man of faith who founded these amazing orphans homes in England -- and his profound reliance on God to provide everything he needed to take care of these children. He prayed in over $2 million of donations!

And I think of a much lesser known man -- a dear brother in Christ named Humberto, who lives in Saltillo, Mexico. He is a professional man, who spends his time off from work sharing the gospel through preaching and one-on-one Bible studies. I met him 10 years ago while on a campaign to Saltillo. All of us on that campaign were greatly impacted by Humberto's humble attitude and focus on Christ and His mission.

These people didn't tell me what to do and how to live. It was their example of passion for Christ that impacted me so much.

And I think of how we can have that same impact on our kids. And their kids. And when we're gone, our example will continue influencing future generations.

One day "she" or "he" will become "they." I want to be a better "he" -- transformed more by Christ, more deeply in love with Christ, carrying out to the fullest the mission that Jesus has given me. And then pray, in the words of that old Steve Green song, "May those who go behind us find us faithful."

Jim