Where do we Walk, Stand or Sit
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)
In a conversation in a recent Elders' Meeting, we talked about a discussion at a local school district on leadership. The conversation was about a planning session in the district involving leadership and who should benefit from the idea of training - all students or just those tagged as future leaders?
The Great Shema from Deuteronomy 6 is an example that leadership comes to each of us whether or not we see ourselves as that. Disciples learn to teach or learn and lead or follow. As such, God gives us as leaders of our homes what we are to teach to teach. We teach in two ways: example/modeling and following the lessons our family is learning. What happens if we don't? Psalm 1 offers a glimpse of the antithesis of Deuteronomy 6:
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)
The progression is similar, but what we walk, stand, or sit in matters. Example/modeling is the single-most powerful form of teaching our children and others who observe us. Deuteronomy 6 has us talking of the great commandment with our children as we sit, walk, lie down, and when we rise. Psalm 1 warns of whose counsel we walk, stand, or sit in (wicked, sinners, scoffers). As Tim Keller notes, if we don't teach and lead our children to learn or follow God's Word, the world will teach our children, and it's not what we desire or hope.
May all we do lead us to the path of salvation through faith given to us in our baptism by the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus.
Pray with me: Gracious Father, Search me and teach me your ways. Help me to see the power of my example and what kind of example I set. Forgive me when I fail and help me forgive those around me as well. In all I do, help me to learn to follow you. In Christ's name, Amen.