Recently, I have been hearing a lot
of reports of how school choice is expanding across the nation. I have been hearing on Christian Radio
commentators say that they hope the government is listening. The commentator goes
on to say that there should be more school choice because it makes such a
difference in education. I want to challenge your ideas and thinking about
school choice.
I know
many people, including myself, have gotten frustrated with the recent outcomes
of test scores from the public schools.
I also understand that many have become disillusioned with the lack of
morals within the school. So many parents have decided that they should take
matters into their own hands and move their children to a school that shares
the same morals and values that they want for their family. What they are leaving many times are children
that have had little exposure to church or God’s word. So, when the family that is involved in the
Church and God’s word leaves the public school, who will expose those without a
church to God’s Word? Who will expose these children to Christian morals and
decisions? Many of you may be thinking, “It is not MY job to teach the love of
Christ to other children, I am supposed to show the love of Christ to my own
children.”
Now, I
ask, what would Jesus do? Would Jesus move his own children away from the
threat of bad influences? Would he try and shelter the little ones or would he
stand beside them and preach about how we should stand up and make good
choices. Jesus would quietly speak about
loving your enemies and turning the other cheek. Scripture tells us that we
should go out into the world and make disciples of ALL nations (Matthew
28:19-20) not just the ones who are “like” us. Jesus also confronts the
Pharisees when they ask why Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. In Matthew 9:10-13,
10 While Jesus was having dinner at
Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his
disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does
your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who
need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire
mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but
sinners.”
Jesus
cautions us that there is a lot of work to do, but there are few workers to do
it. Does God want you to stay in your
comfort zone and “feel good” or is God calling you and your family to step out
and handle the school challenges together?
Wouldn’t you as a parent prepare your children for the unknown
challenges ahead if you were there to help guide them in Christian living while
they are growing up? Wouldn’t that prepare your children more for times when
you are not there?
Now
think about the impact you could have not only on your own children, but on the
lives of other children as well. In Psalms, chapter 8 verse 2, God tells us
that we can create a stronger community if we take time to praise the children.
The verse states, “Through the praise of children and infants you have
established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the
avenger.” So God tells us that if we take care of our children and raise them
right, we could spoil the bad intentions that other countries have against us.
How could that help the next generation?
One of
the prime examples in the Bible of a person that God showed favor was
David. In Psalms, David shows us a
little glimpse of the faith that he has in God. This is what David thinks God
does for those who work for the needy.
In Psalm 72:12-14, he says, “For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the
afflicted who have no one to help. 13 He will take pity on the weak and the
needy and save the needy from death. 14 He will rescue them from oppression and
violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.
So, now
I ask, how could you help God’s children? Not your children, but God’s
children? What gifts could you share with the children of your community? What passion could you share with others? Do
you love photography? Can you help bring photography to kids who would not have
the opportunity without your help? Do you have a gift with the written word?
Can you help some of the kids who have had unique experiences share them with
others in their writing? Are you good at debating? Are there schools that need
debate clubs? Are you passionate about
good sportsmanship? Could you coach a little league team? What can you do? How can you leave a mark? God already expects you to leave a mark on
your own child. That is why he gave you
children. He also expects that you make
an impact on the greater community.
Please do not be so quick to move your children away from negative
aspects of public school. Your child
will need to work with people of all backgrounds with grace and humility. You as adults can begin to set the example in
the daily life.
