It's Cool to talk about Spiritual Things.

In Jr. high and high school I attended a Christian school, where my dad was the principle, most of the time. I remember part of the self evaluation portion of our report card was a list of things such as, "Gets along well with others", "Does not talk in class", as well as "talks about spiritual things". This morning I was just thinking about my own kids, and some of the students in our ministry.

First off, let me say that I always talked too much in class, so a couple of my kids now will know who to thank for that character trait. I always got along well with the people I liked, but not so much with those I didn't. And I never talked about spiritual things unless a teacher brought it up. Being a pagan certainly doesn't lend itself to a desire for spiritual things. And that is the point of this post.

Not until very recently have I had a desire to talk about spiritual things. God draws His children to Himself and also gives us the desire to be in His Word and in prayer. If He doesn't give that desire it will be a long grind and often end in failure of the relationship, unless we keep begging Him for those desires. I think that most people give up and walk away when the "desert walk" is too long. Pray that He would give a desire for fellowship everyday. Pray for rain to water the seeds that are planted, so that they will spring up, get leaves, branches, blossom and then bear fruit. He will do it, we just have to be disciplined to keep begging Him.

When God works in us and changes our desires, even and maybe mostly, through trials, we can have an assurance of salvation. God wouldn't give you a desire to be in His Word, pray, have fellowship with other believers and to meditate and talk about spiritual things if you are not saved. The desire would go away and you would go back to settling for lesser loves and joys. So if this is you, thank God for His work in your life. If it is not you, keep begging He would change you. Ask someone you trust to hold you accountable in your walk. When was the last time someone asked you, "How's your Bible reading going?" "What are you learning?" Are you known as a person who talks about spiritual things often, or do you change the subject when spiritual things are brought up, because it makes you uncomfortable? We should be "at home" talking about the One we love the most.

So, on to the kids. God has given us 3 great kids with our earthly genetics and a bunch of great kids with our spiritual genetics. Kimmy, Grant and Garrett are not perfect children, as they all are related to me, this could not happen. But, they are 3 kids that God has drawn and is drawing to Himself, and it is evident from the fruit in their lives. As parents we are called to be fruit inspectors, especially in our children. We need to help them inspect their own fruit and where the fruit is evident, give encouragement of salvation and where there is no fruit talk with them about it. You can say to your kids, "You know, I am not seeing much of a love for the Word. Are you reading your Bible and does it seem like a lot of work, or is it your joy?" Questions like this are good for us to ask, and great for our kids to answer. Encourage them when you see areas of growth.

Help them to choose friends that spur them on to love and good deeds. Encourage them to choose their friends very wisely. Friends that will talk about spiritual things, ask hard questions and pray for them, are the friends we want our kids to hang with. Mutual edification is a good thing.

What about the kids who don't have a heart for spiritual things? Who will minister to them? You and your kids. When there is a party, make it at your house and tell the spiritual leaders before hand they should spark the conversation and direct it in a spiritual direction. When leaders lead toward spiritual things, then it just might be considered "cool" to talk about spiritual things. We are to be salt and light, but that means we actually have to be salt and light.

Some practical things to think about;
1. Are you personally interested in spiritual things?
2. Do you have someone you trust that helps to keep you accountable?
3. Are you helping or hurting others desire to talk about spiritual things?
4. Are you inspecting your own fruit, and is someone else giving you feedback?
5. If you have kids, are you inspecting their fruit?
6. Are you asking them the hard questions?

Remember to encourage where you see growth and ask hard questions when you don't. MySpace and FaceBook pages are a great indicator where hearts truly are. Is there any mention of spiritual things there, for all the world to see, or is it just like every other one? Example, if you see lots of skin, foul language, course jesting, and PDA, there is a good possibility that spiritual fruit is not coming any time soon.

Oh Lord, may we be children of Your Word and children who love to talk to You. Give us the desire and the will to be "other worldly". Make Yourself our greatest joy and treasure. May You be our first and best thought, by day or by night. May we think about You often, meditate on Your Word and be in prayer continually. May we desire to tell others of the One who gave Himself up for us; the One who has given us life. Give us joy here, today, that others would see our love for You and be drawn to You. Give us companions that encourage our walk toward godliness. Protect our kids from the evil one. Give them a love for You. May they see You in us and be drawn to You because of it. You have to work all these things in us. Please do Your great work and we will rejoice when You start because we know that You finish what You start.