Understanding Freedom

For 430 years the Hebrew people sojourned in Egypt. They were treated well initially. After all, it was solely because of God’s grace through Joseph their empire survived the seven-year drought that decimated neighboring nations. Sadly, the Egyptians soon lost touch with their own history and believed the Hebrews more of a threat than a blessing. It was out of this unfounded fear that they decided to enslave the Israelites.

We all know what happened. A few centuries and ten plagues later the Hebrews were allowed to leave their Egyptian bondage and head to a country that was flowing with milk and honey. There was only one major problem. While they were free physically, they still thought like slaves. They expected someone else to always take care of them, and the minute their hunger and thirst hit, they were ready to head back into bondage for the sake of convenience. A commitment to comfort will kill liberty as quickly as anything else. How many “Canaan lands” have been sacrificed on the altar of ease?

Homeschooling can expose this same train of thought at times. Most of us can identify with the anxieties of first-time homeschoolers. We remember thoughts of, “What if I mess up my child?” or “How will I teach them how to read?” Of course, we fail to ask, “Could the government schools mess up my child?” Answer? Outside of God’s grace they definitely will do some spiritual damage. Reading? God has programmed our children to learn how to read. A phonics program and a parent who will read with their children and to them is really all that is necessary in all but exceptional situations. Still, it is easier and more convenient to just ship them off to a system that has failed to live up to its own goals and definitely its massive budgets. When we face the inevitable struggles in homeschooling, some immediately default to, “Let’s just send them back to public school.” This slave-like mentality may or may not temporarily resolve their situation, but it doesn’t change their obligation before God as parents. Rather than correcting the problems, public school often exacerbates them, but at least now parents can blame the school system, thinking they have absolution.

Yes, there are disappointments as homeschoolers. There are setbacks. There are short-term failures. Incredible sacrifices have to be made. We feel, at times, that we are in our own wilderness journeys. As free people who take responsibility for our children, how should we respond? Romans 8:1. Paul wrote there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Let us put that into a homeschooling context. When we seek to follow the dictates of Deuteronomy 6:7 by discipling our children, God promises to be with us. (1 Thes. 5:24) This does not mean we will not face significant pressure from outside the walls of our home, inside the walls of our home, or inside the walls of our own souls. What it does remind us of is that God is there to encourage and instruct us. He isn’t going to condemn us and tell us how horrible of a job we are doing. He is walking along with us, all the way to the end.

The scriptures teach that God ordains both good things and difficult things to come our way in life. (Lam. 3:37, 38; 3:31-33; Ecc. 7:13; Job 1- 3) Our comfort is that in all things He has purpose. If we fall short of His grace in an area, we may go through a season of discipline or correction or instruction. He is teaching us even as we are teaching our children. God will even use our weaknesses and sins to see His plan go forward in our lives and in the lives of our children. He is that wonderful! Though we fall, we are not cast down because He is with us and He is not going to condemn us.

The doctrine of being “free in Christ” (John 8:36) is one of the most comforting thoughts in scripture, though its full reality escapes so many. That is why this month’s prayer and fasting articles focuses on freedom. We are asking God would open up our eyes to the love and commitment He as for us as Christians and as homeschooling parents. Please join us on Tuesday, July 14, (or on another day that works best for you) as we approach the throne of God with the following requests:

1. Pray that we homeschooling parents realize that God is for us in this journey of home discipleship, and to know that He is not there to condemn us but to empower us for the work at hand. Be especially sensitive to all the new homeschoolers.
   • For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. –Ez. 36:9
   • There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. –Romans 8:1, 2
   • No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. –Joshua 1:5
     
2. Pray that we parents may truly know the depths of God’s love He has for those who He draws to Himself through salvation.
   • the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you. –Jer. 31:3
   • For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.–Romans 8:38, 39
     
3. Pray that we parents will come to understand that God ordains all things that come our way—both good and difficult—for His glory and our benefit. The devil can never pull the wool over the all-seeing eye of God.
   • but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; ³³ for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.–Lam. 3:32, 33
   • And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,^[h] for those who are called according to his purpose.–Romans 8:28
     
4. Pray that we homeschooling parents would recognize and implement all the freedoms and possibilities that homeschooling affords in regard to curriculum, scheduling, flexibility, spiritual focuses, personalities, learning styles, opportunities, and thinking outside the box.
   • Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” –Mark 10:27
   • Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. –2 Kings 6:17
     
5. While we do not want to be overtly foolish, pray that God will help us parents to be willing to risk and not always playing it safe, afraid of failure or of man’s disapproval.
   • Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” –Numbers 14:9 (on risking going into Canaan Land with great fruit but big giants)
   • And the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor-bearer and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you a thing.” And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up after me, for the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” ¹³ Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him. –1 Samuel 14:12, 13
     
6. Pray that we homeschooling parents will be free from taking the critical thoughts of man and the lies of the enemy too seriously.
   • But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”–Matt. 16:23
   • The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. –Proverbs 29:25
     
7. Pray that we homeschooling parents will not be bound or intimidated by what everybody else is doing—homeschooling or not homeschooling—but pray that we will stay true to God’s timing and purpose for our family.
   • For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. –Hab. 2:3
   • Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, –Phil. 2:12
     
8. Pray that we homeschoolers will be committed to nurture the individuality of each of our children in order for them to be free to be who God has made them to be, rather than enslaving them to our own personal expectations and agendas.
   • I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. –Psalms 139:14
   • Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect –Romans 12:1,2

Please, continue to keep ICHE in your prayers that we will hear the voice and direction of God in all things.