A new school year has begun. With it comes anticipation and hope, but also uncertainty and lingering uneasiness. The past couple of years were filled with unusual, and at times scary, procedures. Masks, on-line learning, and social distancing combined with the fear of becoming ill. Isolation from friends, changes in locations and routines, along with the absence of what was once deemed “normal,” affected students and their families, as well as instructors and others in the educational system. The entire school culture and environment changed. It became very "foreign."
Questions about parental rights to view material being taught, mixed with accusations against parents for “spying” on e-learning courses taken at home, led to fears of indoctrination. "Cultural sensitivity" classes replaced many of the basic educational courses, and we watched as the ABC's took a back seat to other types of instruction. It felt, and still does feel, like we are losing our children to some unseen force of evil.
It feels like they've been pulled from our Godly influence and teachings and taken to a foreign land to be indoctrinated into ungodly values and ideals. At times if feels like they could be lost forever.
The truth: there is an evil force after our children. His name is Satan. Our children are the future, and Satan wants to derail and destroy them. He wants them pulled from their potential in God’s kingdom into his kingdom of darkness and will use any means to do so.
God brought me to the book of Daniel.
Daniel was handsome and intelligent, the best of Israel, probably royalty. From childhood, He had been taught God's ways both at home and in temple, so his spiritual foundation was established and firm early in his life. He was grounded and sure of what, and in Whom, he believed. He had developed spiritual strength before he faced challenges and confrontation.
Then, while still a youth, Daniel was kidnapped by Nebuchadnezzar and taken to Babylon to be indoctrinated into that culture's ways, customs, and religious beliefs. It appeared the devil had highjacked him; his future in God's kingdom short-circuited. But God had a plan to turn what the devil meant for evil into good. He directed Daniel's path--even in enemy territory.
Although Daniel was instructed in the ways of the Babylonians, he remained faithful to God. Even when faced with serious threats, he never compromised his beliefs. As a result, God honored him with favor among his captors, and he was elevated to the position of a high-ranking official within the Babylonian government. He lived his entire life there as a God-fearing man.
Our children are our brightest and best, children of the King. Just as Daniel was taught in his youth, so we can instruct our children. Sometimes we think they are too little to understand, but we can still speak God's word over them. The Bible is alive and active, and even if they are too little to comprehend the words, the Spirit IN the word reaches into their hearts and spirits. It sets a foundation for them to build on. It anchors them and helps them hold fast when adversity comes.
When I was growing up, we always had devotions after our evening meal; a short Bible passage followed by a devotion relating to it. As a child, I listened to them, but was often fidgety and wished I could go and play. My attention span was short, but the Word penetrated and infiltrated my spirit. Don't be discouraged if your child isn't rapt with awe during devotionals. Just keep teaching the Word and pointing them to God.
When our kids are sent out into the world called "school," where culture is hard-hitting and demands a cultural and mental shift, they can stand firm in their faith. It may feel like we have lost them to Babylon, but if they are trained in God's ways and soaked in God's truths, they too, will remain faithful to God in the midst of a "foreign" culture.
There will be temptation. The world has a strong appeal, not to mention peer pressure. Just as the rich foods offered to Daniel had to be a lot more tempting than "veggies again?" our children need to know that the truth of God's word, and His favor are much better than temporary pleasure.
God took Daniel and used him for His purposes in Babylon. God can use our children in the worldly culture they may be thrust into, as well. God has a plan and a purpose for each of them. Which of them may be the next leader of our country, or placed in some other position of great influence? If they are grounded in the truths of God's word, and have faith in Him, they can be like arrows shot into the world, positioned to bring Godly influence.
When it seems that our children are being lost to another culture and its ungodly schemes, we need to remember that God has not abandoned them. Just as he was with Daniel in Babylon, He is right there with our children, working for their good...and the good of others.
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