“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything,–Deut. 28:47
In one of the most terrifying chapters in the Bible, Moses lays out the curses for those who despise God’s law: Plagues. The sword. Famine. Boils. Blindness. Tumors. Madness. On and on the scary list goes. This was the sternest of warnings to the Hebrews if they chose to disobey their Lord. What many people miss, however, is there is more than the right methodology; there is a matter of the right motivation … JOY!
Have you ever heard the term, “sober drunk”? This describes a person who doesn’t drink but whose heart really wants to. Some would quickly comment, “Well, at least they are doing the right thing by not drinking!” True enough. As God’s servants, however, He wants more than our outward obedience, He wants a heart that is loyal to Him and His ways. This includes our attitude in homeschooling.
God’s laws are not a random list of rules that He invoked to simply please Himself but are written for our good as well. When we lack a spirit of joy, we are bringing God’s sovereign character into question. We are calling God a liar because His Word declares that He “gives to us abundantly, all things that pertain to life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3) Goodness is innate to His character.
We homeschoolers have so much to be joyful about. First, God has opened our eyes to the biblical necessity of discipling our children at home. When I was a Sr. Pastor and had reached the pinnacle of all wisdom at 23 years of age, I actually preached against homeschooling! No, I am not kidding. God had not illuminated my eyes. Now, I am so very grateful for His patience toward me. He has literally changed my legacy. If that doesn’t make one joyful, I don’t know what would.
Second, many reading this live in Illinois. While our state may be a corrupt and fiscal mess, God has shown the strength of His mighty right arm by giving us some of the best homeschooling liberties in the nation. If you think homeschooling is tough now, how would you like to be filling out unlimited forms of governmental red tape on top of what you are already doing? We are not hiding in the shadows of our homes but are free to take our children wherever we want, whenever we want. Some may quickly say, “That is our right!” and while I do agree, there are still fellow homeschoolers in Germany and more recently in Cuba that have had that right stripped from them by an overreaching arm of government, and they are now sitting in prison.
Third, we have an endless supply of resources, from support groups and enrichment groups, to curriculum vendors and community offerings. We are no longer isolated educational exceptions but are now being marketed to by many secular companies looking to make a buck. Everyone is wanting in on the action.
Fourth, the Lord is our strength and our source, and His supply never ends. He opens up our children’s eyes to various concepts and, most importantly, to their need of salvation found only in Him. We don’t have to homeschool on our own!
If you have found yourself complaining or seeing the cup half full in recent months, it may be time for a season of repentance; not for outright disobedience but for not serving the Lord with joy and gladness of heart. We want His blessings, not His displeasure.
-300x147.jpg)
