When a baby is born, the parents say, “Ah, a new generation!” They stare in wonder at this little treasure, taking in the scent and soft skin of brand-new life. A parent never forgets those first moments in the presence God’s latest, adorable creation.
Then, it’s a blur! The years race by; sleepless nights, diapers and first steps turn into sports, music lessons and graduations. Suddenly, childhood is over. You step back and say, “Wait… What did we teach them?”
Every new generation is a blank slate. What is placed in their hearts and minds, layer by layer, is there because someone taught it to them. I use parents as an example, but it’s true for all of us. No matter who you are, you can teach; and the love, grace and magnificence of God can be taught anywhere, anytime. It’s important to ask ourselves if we’re doing this.
As a parent, mentor, teacher or pastor, do you make sure that God is known to those you teach? Do you teach pop psychology or scripture? God’s splendor doesn’t need a bestselling book, a TED Talk or a counseling session to be known. It only needs to be unwrapped and shared. His attributes are so magnificent that they apply to everything we do, yet we often barely scratch the surface in our teaching. People need the knowledge of God so they can navigate life. They need to know where to turn when they hit a wall. We all need to view God in the light he intended us to see him.
Consider some of his names and how they bring immeasurable peace and comfort: Immanuel (God with us), Jehovah-Rapha (the Lord our healer), Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord our provider), Jehovah-Shalom (the Lord is peace). There are many more. He is holy and righteous; yet he is right next to us, listening for our voice. The next generation needs to hear!
Knowing God and understanding his attributes are the greatest life skills we can have. Still, they must first be taught and then retaught to ensure that we don’t get rusty. Deuteronomy tells us, “When you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:7, ESV).Every day, at every opportunity, show them again the God who loves them without end, and show them how to find him.