Parents are very concerned about the environment in which our children are raised. We do everything we can to create an environment our children can thrive in. We give them every opportunity for them to be exposed to various things so that they can pick and choose later on what they are really good at. All of this is nice and could be positive, but not at the expense of their truly knowing the Lord and His calling on their lives.

The prophet Samuel grew up in a terrible environment. He was raised by a corrupt priest whose sons used their status to get women and money. But God raised a true prophet out of this environment to use him greatly for His purpose. (1 Sam 3). What does this mean?

It means that even if our children didn’t grow up in the best of environments, they have a fighting chance to be great. What they need is a calling from God. “God qualifies those whom He calls.” Our children don’t have to be exposed to every opportunity to become great. Young adults don’t have to experience everything in life to know what God wants for them. What we need is a distinct calling from the Lord and that sets the kind of lifestyle we will live.

Therefore, we need to pray for God’s calling on our children’s lives. Ask God to reveal it clearly to them so that they have something greater they are living for. They will stop doing dumb things when they see a greater thing they can do with their lives. If you are a young adult, ask God to make His calling on your life clear. But here’s one caveat. It must be unconditional – as in if God were to show it to you, you will follow it no matter what it is. If not, all it is is you asking for what you want rather than what God wants, in which case God is really existing for you rather than you existing for God.

Love,

PH