Exposure to the Right Things

Last night's teaching at church was really good. One thing really stuck with me. "It's not just about protecting your children from the wrong things, it is about exposing them to the right things."

As a parent, I want to protect my children from all that is bad in the world. But if they are completely insulated, how will they learn? They must see poverty and disease and even wickedness in order to grow in Christ and do the right things with their lives. We are so far removed from everyday realities that nothing pulls at our hearts. I can relate it to the book, Holy Discontent. If you never see any need, how can you address that need? How can you have a holy discontent?

I think that God, as my parent, wants to expose me to the right things. For so long, I mostly avoided anything to do with abuse because it was so painful. But God can use the pain and turn it into my holy discontent. I cannot be content with children being abused, more and more I feel the need to do something. I'm not sure what that something is yet, but it is there and it is growing.

Romans 8:28 tells me, "that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and who have been called according to His purpose." God didn't cause my pain, but He can use it. He can take evil horrible situations and through us, use them for His glory. His purpose is fulfilled in what I do with my exposure to the right things. Do I sit back and let someone else try to right the wrongs? Or, do I grab a hold of my holy discontent and do something with it? His purpose is worked out in my helping others. Not sitting back, not hiding in my pain, not being afraid to step out in faith. God can use my pain and although it is scary, I am willing to let Him take me down a new path - one that helps others and brings His purpose for me to perfect fulfillment.