Week 5: The New Testament and Children
Day 4: Walking in Daddy’s Shoes – 1 Peter 1:14
I still remember the feel of my Dad’s large shoes on my tiny feet. They were heavy. Loose. Cumbersome. I tripped every time I put them on and tried to walk across the room. But they were my Dad’s shoes. I wanted to wear them. I wanted to do the things he was doing and that he was teaching me to do.
Most children pass through that stage. I am pretty sure that I have seen every one of my ten nieces and nephews wearing their parents’ shoes at some point in their life. I outgrew my Mom’s shoes fairly early in life, but even in high school I can remember slipping my feet into my Dad’s shoes and tripping out to the mailbox. I liked the way they flopped around on my feet. It meant he was still bigger, still stronger.
God wants us to emulate Him, to follow His example as young children follow the example of their parents. He wants us to be obedient.
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16)
God was careful not only to include the command to honor father and mother in the ten commandments but also to make it the first commandment with promise. Perhaps this is because in learning to obey and honor our parents we are learning the type of relationship we are to have with God.
But what if I have no parents? Who will teach me to love, honor and obey God? Who will teach me of the salvation that is in Christ and that I am to walk in His steps – to be holy as He is holy? Who?
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Also Check out Rachel Miller’s Book: The King’s Daughter: A Story of Redemption
