This morning I was struck by Deuteronomy 6:7:
6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.7 You 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.
When I picked up the boys from school, it came to mind again. So I got their attention and told them with all the gusto I could muster that God loves them. I told them again what I have told them so many times: That Jesus came and died for us and that if we believe in Him, we can live forever with Him in heaven.
I told them that heaven is better than anything we could ever imagine--better than Disney World, better than ten ice cream cones in a row... . I wanted them to desire heaven the way I do--to look forward to it with all of their hearts.
And there was a moment of silence, and then Cameron said, "Well, in The Secret Life of Pets there is this sandwich, and it really stinks...." And the conversation headed off in another direction altogether.
It was a gentle reminder that I am called to share the gospel, I am called to live a life worthy of the calling I have received (Eph. 4:1). I am called to teach God's word to my children and to do it "diligently."
But I am not God.
I think of the sweet conversations I've had with Cameron about his faith--about the love of Jesus. And I think of his love for God's Word already and I pray for his heart. I am reminded that Deuteronomy 6:7 is talking about a lifestyle, a mission, not a one time event.
What an incredibly important (and daily--sometimes minute by minute) mission.
