Today I took two of our three boys to their first day of school. This isn’t anything really new as Eli has been going to school for three years now (Pre-K, K, and 1st grade). But it was the first time I took Eli as a first grader to school. It may seem small and insignificant now, but these first days of school are adding up until the day it will be his last day “first” day of high school. Time passes so quickly and many times we forget details that we think we will always remember. It is the same in our spiritual walk with Christ as well. I have shared from the pulpit and many other places the need for all Christians to journal about their relationship with Christ. It is important to record the highs and lows so that your faith can grow stronger as well as you can receive encouragement in the difficult times of life.
We see a somewhat similar incident in the Old Testament in the book of Joshua. The Israelites are preparing to enter into the Promised Land, but there is just one small obstacle standing in their way. In this case, it is the Jordan River. Some people may not think crossing the Jordan River is a big deal even at flood stage, because the Israelites had already crossed the Red Sea. It doesn’t matter if it is a river or a sea, it is still a huge deal to get approximately two million people across a body of water. So on the morning of their crossing, Joshua took 12 men (one from each tribe) and told them to pick up a stone from the middle of the Jordan River and carry it to the other side. Once on the other side they would use those rocks to create a memorial. Who was the memorial for? Joshua 4:6-7 says, “That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.” Notice the memorial was not only for the people of that day, but also for their children, to remind all of them yesterday, today, and forever of the faithfulness of our Lord. That is why I stress writing in a journal about your walk with Christ, to strengthen your faith, and to be able to show your children and future generations that they can trust God for today based on how He took care of you yesterday.
One final note, cherish these milestones in your walk with Christ and with your children, because all too quickly things change. Never miss an opportunity to tell your children that you love them, that you are proud of them, and never miss an opportunity to share with them why you placed your faith in Jesus Christ. You are your child’s primary teacher-teach and live carefully because little eyes are watching!
By His grace, through His strength, may you live for Him!