Called to Family

In his autobiography, Ralph W. Beiting makes this statement:

“I have seen so many parents make remarkable sacrifices in the hopes that their children’s lives will be different.” [Called to the Mountains, page 63].

Only when I became a parent did I realize sacrifices that my parents made for me. Their hard work essentially was motivated by their love for me and their dreams for me. The hard thing, though, is to realize how many years went by before my parents received a hearty “thank you” for their sacrifices.

This is the most difficult aspect of parenting. We often do not see immediate results with our sacrifices. But that need not deter us. Because Christian parents are in covenant relationship with God, spouse and children, sacrificial giving of time, effort and money are part of the picture. When love is the motivation for sacrifice, there is a deep, untold joy that enters the picture.

We want life to be better for our children. Here is the sticky point though…the sacrificial life made us the way we are, why would we not want the same thing for our children? If the sacrificial life forges character, why would we not want the same thing for our children?

If the hope that our children’s lives will different revolves only around financial freedom and opportunity, then we have failed in our job as a parent. On the other hand, if we mean “different” in the sense that they will learn much quicker the serendipities of a sacrificial life, then I agree. And on the other hand, if we mean “different” in the sense that they grow stronger in the faith and closer to Lord much quicker than we did, then I agree!

We are called to family…and that calling is immersed in sacrificial giving that provides a model for the next generation!

In Christian love, Curtis

Called To Serve

Ralph W. Beiting, executive director emeritus, wrote an autobiography with the title: Called to the Mountains. I have mentioned earlier that during my vacation this summer I read this autobiography. I was deeply touched by the relief organization he created and the lessons he learned from a lifetime of being called to help those in need.

            Chapter 5 of this autobiography is entitled, “Called to Serve.” He makes the following observation:

“…CAP is still an organization committed to serve. We are still called to serve and every day we are reminded that in serving, we gain much more than we give.” [page 52]

            This concept may run counter to our typical notion of helping others. When we reach out to help someone, whatever the need might be, we gain so much more from the experience than the person being helped! We often approach it with the attitude that the other person is really benefiting from what we have to offer, and we hope that they appreciate to the time and effort we have sacrificed.

            Actually, there is an opposite attitude that I think more closely reflects following in the footsteps of Jesus. When we are truly called to serve, we humbly and gratefully acknowledge the reciprocal gift that is given to us by the one receiving  our efforts. We indeed gain so much more than we can ever give. We gain a humble heart of gratitude. We gain a relationship and friendship deepened by the experience. We gain God’s favor and good pleasure because we are doing what pleases Him. We gain our own self-respect because we are not centering our efforts on ourself. We gain a deeper sense of our ongoing call to serve!

            May God  help each one of us here at Highland View to respond every day in every way to our own call to serve!

In Christian love, Curtis

Called To Manhood

Ralph W. Beiting is his book, Called to the Mountains, talks about his early childhood memories as they relate to his growing up in school. He makes the following observation:

“Young people today have a harder time hearing the call to manhood and womanhood. They are beset from all sides by drugs, alcohol, and the immorality presented in television and movies. They’re surrounded by a culture that says material things are all that matter.”[page 32]

          The call to manhood and womanhood changes over time with every culture. What does it mean to go through the seasonal changes of one’s life and move from adolescence to adulthood? In our western culture we have some assumed rites of passage: getting a driver’s license, graduating from high school, and voting. But unfortunately these rites of passage can be passed through by individuals who are immature and not ready for adulthood!

          This move from adolescence to adulthood is difficult. But it seems that at least the following are necessary for a young person to successfully navigate these treacherous waters:

1.   A strong sense of being loved and cared for by family.

2.   Teachers who care and mentor them.

3.   Extended church family, both youth group and intergenerational experiences.

4.   A hunger and thirst for God, and a deep desire to do what is right.

5.   Wisdom in making choices, being aware of consequences.

6.   A deep and rich prayer life.

7.   Role models to look up to.

No wonder it is difficult for young men and women to hear the call to adulthood—too many other siren-voices are screaming for attention.

Think about this. What if the rite of passage into adulthood included activities and services that required mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual energy being devoted to others?! What if growing up were measured not by years, but by mature choices of service, and bonds of friendship nurtured in Christ?! What if the right of passage centered on one’s prayer life and relationship with God? What if the right of passage consisted of a young person discovering their gifts and having an adult mentor them in how to use those gifts for others?

Can each of us be a part of that rite of passage?

In Christian love, Curtis