The Man in the Middle

As I reflect upon our nation and the growing polarization between various factions, be they political, theological, or, ideological, it stirs up a deep desire within me to see homeschoolers understand and be proficient in navigating the various tensions of life. Tensions arise in personal relationships, organizations, businesses, etc. They are part of the fabric of any culture. While the great majority of individuals see these tensions as negatively because of the feelings of insecurity, anger, or fear they may incite, I believe tensions are God-given and beneficial.

Sadly, many people—perhaps most people—see out of the lens of either/or rather than both/and. They cannot or will not see the other side of the tension as their own brand of logic, history, or scripture distorts their reality. Because our pride or fear, we will not admit this, and the result is we pull further apart, giving an ever-increasing strain on the various cultural ties that bind. Language becomes harsher. Generosity of thought becomes stingier. Mercy begins a quiet and sullen withdraw. When mercy is absent, judgmentalism is all that remains.

Without a doubt, there is such a thing as right and wrong, good and bad, righteous and evil, biblical and anti-biblical. However, many of the things people fight over are secondary considerations based on personal preferences or biases rather than a strict code of some kind—for Christians, the Bible. Consider all the denominations. There are over 200 different distinct denominations in the United States not including the thousands of independent churches. How many different interpretations of the four gospels or the book of Romans can there be? Instead of working through differences, we take our toys and go home. Over time and sequence, we become more arrogant, insecure, imbalanced, and isolated.

We need to raise brave children who are willing to stand against the excesses of either extreme, willing to get shot at from both sides. If they are an “8” on a certain issue, the “1’s” will claim they are absolute heretics while the “10’s” will accuse them of compromise because they are not one hundred percent with them. Such it is with tensions and being in the middle.

This month we are focusing on raising our children to navigate the numerous areas of life in their personal lives so that God may raise them up to leadership in navigating tensions on a broader scale. They will have to have great grace upon them in order to walk through these philosophical No Man Lands. It takes great resolve to be in a place where so few are willing to go. The good news? Our God is able, and God is raising them up for such a time as this.

Please join us in fasting on the second week in August or another time that works for your schedule. Consider taking one of the following requests as a devotional thought to engage your young adult children. It may be very enlightening.

1. Pray that God will give our children a strong sense of vision for the kingdom and of personal conviction as we interact with others over the various tensions of life.
   1. Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. –1 Cor. 16:13
   2. because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. –1 Thes. 1:5

2. Pray that God would give our children the right words and right spirit with which to speak.

1. The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned. -Is. 50:4
2. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. -Acts 6:10

3. Pray that the Holy Spirit would give our children a discerning mind when dealing with others over the tensions of life.
   1. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people? –1 Kings 3:9
   2. The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. –Proverbs 16:21

4. In an age where everyone wants to always speak first to be understood, pray that our children will have humility and patience to first listen in order to understand the thoughts of others.
   1. Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance –Proverbs 1:5
   2. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. –Matt. 11:15

5. Pray that our children will experience a genuine sense of security of God with them, in them, and to them so they will not be intimidated by the thoughts, words, and actions of others with which they interact.
   1. For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” –Psalms 122:8
   2. And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. –Job 11:18
   3. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. –Is. 26:3

6. Pray that God will gift our children with wisdom in how to handle secondary considerations with those whom they interact.
   1. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. –Romans 14:5
   2. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; –Romans 14:10

7. Pray that our children will be graced to not only see where people are at but what trajectory they are on and respond and encourage them accordingly.
   1. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. –Proverbs 4:26
   2. The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. –Proverbs 15:24

8. While we are sometimes called to bring a sword—as Jesus did (Matt.10:34)—pray that our children will seek to be people of peace.
   1. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. –Matt. 5:9
   2. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it -Psalms 34:14

9. Pray that our children will always have a sense of God’s sovereignty and timing in all matters.
   1. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? –Matt. 24:45
   2. To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! –Proverbs 15:23

10. Pray that our children will walk in humility and realize that all of us are smarter than any one of us.
    1. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. –Proverbs 15:22
    2. for by wise guidance, you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. -Proverbs 24:6