American "Idol" (Part Three)

photo © 2007 D.A.K. Photography | more info (via: Wylio)
Genesis 22:2-3 says, "Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 

Isaac was born to Abraham at the ripe old age of 100. Abraham's wife, Sarah, was 90. They had longed for a child for decades. Not years. Decades! After waiting all those years, Abraham and Sarah must surely have treasured Isaac, the child their hearts had longed for. Yet, when God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his son whom he loves, as a burnt offering, Abraham did not hesitate. Scripture says, "Early the next morning... Abraham got up and loaded his donkey." 

How could Abraham do this? Why didn't he argue with God? Going back to verse 1, we discover God's motive: He was testing Abraham. God was testing Abraham's heart, how much he trusted God. Surely, Abraham would do anything for his beloved son. No doubt, if needed, he would have died in Isaac's place (that's my opinion -- based on my own experience as a mom). Our love for our children is so great that most would do anything, including give up our lives, for them. Abraham didn't ask God to trade places, though. God told him to go. He told him to sacrifice Isaac. Immediately, Abraham took Isaac and went.

When I first became a mom, I hovered. Nothing touched my son's lips that wasn't pure and healthy. He ate plain yogurt, pureed fruits and veggies without preservatives. He always had a clean, fresh blanket to play on. And I washed his toys regularly -- vigorously! We never missed a doctor's appointment. I never missed a hiccup, a sneeze, or a whimper. 


While laboring with my second son, the doctor told me I could push. I asked her to wait a minute and called my firstborn to tell him good-night and that I love him. Yes. I was the quintessential overprotective mom!


Can you tell that I did not trust God with my kids' lives? Do you see how I worried, fussed, protected and hovered to keep them safe? Parenting that way wore me out -- and wore my nerves thin. No mom can be everything to her kids. No mom can protect her kids from every speck of dirt or bump or bruise. But I sure did try.


Maybe you can relate? He's got a cough -- it's getting worse -- should I rush him to the E.R.? Maybe you research the best baby toys and books and play classical music. Maybe you obsess about whether to watch TV or not. Or which kids to play with on the playground. 


Maybe your kids are older, and you agonize about friendships -- the ones they should have but don't or the ones they have but shouldn't. Or school? Clubs? Activities? Sports?

Luke 12:25-28 (MSG) says, "Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance--but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even see, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?"

For you? Do you realize God will do his best for you? He loves you. He loves your kids too. Read about it in Psalm 139:13-18:

For you created my inmost being; 
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
   your works are wonderful, 
   I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you 
   when I was made in the secret place, 
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 
Your eyes saw my unformed body; 
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book 
   before one of them came to be. 
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! 
   How vast is the sum of them! 
Were I to count them, 
   they would outnumber the grains of sand— 
   when I awake, I am still with you.

Back to Abraham... He set off to Moriah with Isaac, no fear. No questions. No worries. He understood that Isaac's life came from God, just like his.

If it's hard for you to trust God with your kids' lives, pray. Ask for understanding and peace. He created your child, ordained your child's life, and loves your child. More than you can. Ask him to help you trust. Give your kids to him -- and your fears, too.

When the fears and over-protectiveness creep back in, give it all back again. And again. And again. Until you have the faith of Abraham.

To read this series from the beginning, please go to American Idol (Part One). To continue to the next post, please go to American Idol (Part Four).