A Legacy of Light
Last summer, I took my family to the circus. We saw things that truly made our jaws drop. In fact, I’ll never forget the faces of my children when dogs came onto the stage upright and riding scooters. It was amazing. But there was one thing that was even more surprising. All around us, children were going bananas —throwing fits, running up and down the aisles, screaming, trying to get onto the stage, and all of them missing the incredible show taking place right in front of them. There was an entirely different circus inside that tent and it was one that was far less entertaining.
In at least five places in Proverbs, Solomon urges his son to be obedient (Proverbs 1:8-9, 3:1-2, 13:13, 16:20, 19:16). One could throw up his hands, get frustrated, and yell at the children inside the circus tent saying, “Why don’t you guys just obey your parents!” However, that’s not the tactic that Solomon uses in Proverbs. His son’s obedience is obviously important to him, but he never beats his son over the head with it. Instead Solomon, who is not afraid to spank his son when he disobeys (Proverbs 23:13-14), takes a different route that never goes out of style.
While there are specific verses that speak about obedience, the whole first part of Proverbs is an example of a parent discipling his child. You cannot walk away from a serious reading of Proverbs and be unclear about the wisdom he is dispensing. It’s straight to the point and direct. At times, it is uncomfortable. But that’s not to say that it isn’t loving and patient.
Children need to be taught and trained—they need to be discipled. So parents need to teach and train—they need to disciple. In the five verses about obedience listed earlier, he essentially repeats the same message. Solomon understands the human heart of his son is wired to forget instruction. With love and patience, he repeats his instructions over and over again in a way that is direct and cannot be misunderstood or confused.
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” Proverbs 1:8-9
The standard is set and the reward is promised.
Obedience is the Reward
There is a reward that we can promise to children for their obedience and it’s way better than a piece of candy. Solomon calls the obedience of his son, “the garland on his head and the pendant on his neck.” Every occasion for a child to obey is like an Olympics where the world can see their gold medal and crown on their head. It is their glory. Obedience is their reward.
The way we might have thought about obedience in children is that it is something that must be rewarded because adhering to rules is something that a child will never enjoy. But what olympian, standing on the podium with garland on his head and a medal around his neck isn’t beaming with joy. Solomon claims that obedience IS the reward. It is a reward for the child and a reward for everyone around them.
But how? How is obedience a reward? There are at least two ways.
First, a child that has been trained to be obedient and taught to love their obedience is a blessing to the world. A microcosm of this is a children’s choir. If you’ve ever seen a children’s choir, Christian or not, it is an amazing thing to experience. Dozens of children, following directions, working together, staying focused, and singing loudly. Those children are not only expected to stay on key and sing when their part comes, but also taught to love it. Pretty much every children’s choir on America’s Got Talent makes it to the second round because they are universally loved. The same is true when this is taught outside of a choir setting. Obedience is a blessing to everyone around the child and this is a powerful thing. Think about the circus performers who have spent years training and crafting their show. Think about how exasperated they might feel when they perform in front of a group of children who want the show to be all about them. But an obedient audience of children encourages the best performances out of performers who are happy to share their skills with them.
Second, Jesus Christ’s obedience was his glory. God the Father highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name because of His obedience (Philippians 2:1-11). Christ’s obedience was His reward. The comparison is undeniable between Solomon’s urgent instruction to his son and the example set by the Son of God. When children are taught to both be obedient and love their obedience, that is fertile soil for the Christian faith to flourish.
Our Legacy of Light
Our primary legacy as Christians is our Christian children. While chasing a legacy is never the goal, it is the effect of a life that has been stewarded well.
Earlier this school year, I took a class of third grade students on a field trip to President James A. Garfield’s house and estate in Mentor, OH. The tour and activities were led by the National Park Service rangers. After the tour, the students were split up into groups and given a challenge to go throughout the museum and collect facts for a timeline that would be put together in the main room. The park rangers told me, with a bit of a sideways groan, that no school had ever finished the timeline and and asked if we would make sure the students followed directions. Then the park rangers took a deep breath and set my class free in the museum.
The students eagerly set off to work on the challenge. They asked for help. They helped each other. Within minutes, they finished the entire timeline. The park rangers were so flabbergasted that they didn’t actually know what to do to fill the remaining time.
After the field trip was over, three of the park rangers and their supervisor pulled me aside to thank me for bringing the students. They said that they tour school groups of all ages every single day and none but our group of third graders was able to complete their timeline. It wasn’t because it was hard and our students were just that smart (though they are smart). It was because they followed directions when other students refused to do so. The park rangers shook my hand and had beaming smiles on their faces as we left.
One day, Lord-willing, these children and our MHC children will be unleashed on a world that desperately needs Christ. Light going out into darkness. A crown and pendant of obedience to Christ adorning the hope that is inside of them. This is the legacy of light that we are working towards when we put forth the effort, administer the discipline, and lift up the prayers necessary to make it happen. Bless the world and be a light to your neighbors by teaching and training your children.
In at least five places in Proverbs, Solomon urges his son to be obedient (Proverbs 1:8-9, 3:1-2, 13:13, 16:20, 19:16). One could throw up his hands, get frustrated, and yell at the children inside the circus tent saying, “Why don’t you guys just obey your parents!” However, that’s not the tactic that Solomon uses in Proverbs. His son’s obedience is obviously important to him, but he never beats his son over the head with it. Instead Solomon, who is not afraid to spank his son when he disobeys (Proverbs 23:13-14), takes a different route that never goes out of style.
While there are specific verses that speak about obedience, the whole first part of Proverbs is an example of a parent discipling his child. You cannot walk away from a serious reading of Proverbs and be unclear about the wisdom he is dispensing. It’s straight to the point and direct. At times, it is uncomfortable. But that’s not to say that it isn’t loving and patient.
Children need to be taught and trained—they need to be discipled. So parents need to teach and train—they need to disciple. In the five verses about obedience listed earlier, he essentially repeats the same message. Solomon understands the human heart of his son is wired to forget instruction. With love and patience, he repeats his instructions over and over again in a way that is direct and cannot be misunderstood or confused.
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” Proverbs 1:8-9
The standard is set and the reward is promised.
Obedience is the Reward
There is a reward that we can promise to children for their obedience and it’s way better than a piece of candy. Solomon calls the obedience of his son, “the garland on his head and the pendant on his neck.” Every occasion for a child to obey is like an Olympics where the world can see their gold medal and crown on their head. It is their glory. Obedience is their reward.
The way we might have thought about obedience in children is that it is something that must be rewarded because adhering to rules is something that a child will never enjoy. But what olympian, standing on the podium with garland on his head and a medal around his neck isn’t beaming with joy. Solomon claims that obedience IS the reward. It is a reward for the child and a reward for everyone around them.
But how? How is obedience a reward? There are at least two ways.
First, a child that has been trained to be obedient and taught to love their obedience is a blessing to the world. A microcosm of this is a children’s choir. If you’ve ever seen a children’s choir, Christian or not, it is an amazing thing to experience. Dozens of children, following directions, working together, staying focused, and singing loudly. Those children are not only expected to stay on key and sing when their part comes, but also taught to love it. Pretty much every children’s choir on America’s Got Talent makes it to the second round because they are universally loved. The same is true when this is taught outside of a choir setting. Obedience is a blessing to everyone around the child and this is a powerful thing. Think about the circus performers who have spent years training and crafting their show. Think about how exasperated they might feel when they perform in front of a group of children who want the show to be all about them. But an obedient audience of children encourages the best performances out of performers who are happy to share their skills with them.
Second, Jesus Christ’s obedience was his glory. God the Father highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name because of His obedience (Philippians 2:1-11). Christ’s obedience was His reward. The comparison is undeniable between Solomon’s urgent instruction to his son and the example set by the Son of God. When children are taught to both be obedient and love their obedience, that is fertile soil for the Christian faith to flourish.
Our Legacy of Light
Our primary legacy as Christians is our Christian children. While chasing a legacy is never the goal, it is the effect of a life that has been stewarded well.
Earlier this school year, I took a class of third grade students on a field trip to President James A. Garfield’s house and estate in Mentor, OH. The tour and activities were led by the National Park Service rangers. After the tour, the students were split up into groups and given a challenge to go throughout the museum and collect facts for a timeline that would be put together in the main room. The park rangers told me, with a bit of a sideways groan, that no school had ever finished the timeline and and asked if we would make sure the students followed directions. Then the park rangers took a deep breath and set my class free in the museum.
The students eagerly set off to work on the challenge. They asked for help. They helped each other. Within minutes, they finished the entire timeline. The park rangers were so flabbergasted that they didn’t actually know what to do to fill the remaining time.
After the field trip was over, three of the park rangers and their supervisor pulled me aside to thank me for bringing the students. They said that they tour school groups of all ages every single day and none but our group of third graders was able to complete their timeline. It wasn’t because it was hard and our students were just that smart (though they are smart). It was because they followed directions when other students refused to do so. The park rangers shook my hand and had beaming smiles on their faces as we left.
One day, Lord-willing, these children and our MHC children will be unleashed on a world that desperately needs Christ. Light going out into darkness. A crown and pendant of obedience to Christ adorning the hope that is inside of them. This is the legacy of light that we are working towards when we put forth the effort, administer the discipline, and lift up the prayers necessary to make it happen. Bless the world and be a light to your neighbors by teaching and training your children.