Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CHILDHOOD (03/09/17)
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TITLE: Revolving ... | Previous Challenge Entry
By Elaine Hemingway
03/16/17 -
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Jesus said, in Luke 18:16, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Children are resilient and learn quickly, sometimes surprisingly astute as they watch the adults they have to listen to, watch and consider copying.
“Mama, Mama, look, the ‘plane is coming!” Mutanga can’t run, but she can hobble, and the excitement of the MAF ‘plane’s arrival lends encouragement to her crippled feet as she hastens towards the landing strip. Her father had been one of the men who had helped to cut the heavy jungle growth back to enable the strip to be built. In the remote village where they live on the edge of a remote village in Bangladesh, how would she have heard the message of the Gospel if her father had not investigated the “giant bird” that brought food and medicine to their remote island? Mutanga is fortunate to have exposure to Truth.
Most children love sport, often of a simple variety, and Yolƞu youth in remote Arnhem Land are privileged to be ferried from place to place so they can participate in sporting events. What blessings must be enjoyed in the sharing of knowledge in these wonderful ways! Missionaries have unique opportunities to influence children in their lifestyles.
But what of those less fortunate? We have all seen the heart-breaking pictures of starving children in Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, India and wherever, who may be asking “Father, why does our god allow such suffering?” To whom do the mothers cry as they watch their children die in their arms? It is not only Christian ministries that attempt to help alleviate the anguish but other faiths and religions. How do children learn to distinguish fact from fiction and find help in their distress? How can we stop the returning tides of unrest and disobedience, recurring war after war, rebellion after revolution?
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Captive of the soldiers of Nebuchadnezzar, the priest Nethanel Levi, spoke to young Jerush as they strode along the dusty trail, leading ever onward to the unknown that awaited them. “You know, son, the history leading us to this predicament is something you need to remember.”
His daughter, Sharon, took his hand as she tried to match step for step with his stronger stride. “I’m afraid, father, the soldiers are cruel.”
“Indeed, and that is why I have told you not to leave our side.” He looked to his wife, dragging her feet along beside him, showing her fatigue in the blue shadows under her eyes. “This is the result of our peoples’ disobedience to Yahweh,” he proclaimed with gloomy repetition.
“Father, you have told us this for so long, but we have not been disobedient. So why must we suffer with the wrongdoers?”
“A good question, son. Because there are always consequences to sin and the penalties spread to others.”
Nethanel looked down at his son in sympathy for the years that lay ahead. Seventy years of exile had been prophesied by his mentor, the prophet Jeremiah, with their present trek only the beginning
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“You must never forget, son, the heritage you have been born to. The mighty Yahweh chose us as his people but we have strayed far from the path He laid for us. Your uncle, Jeremiah, warned that this would happen but in general people took no notice of him.”
Judges 2 tells us of the people doing evil in the eyes of the Lord, and serving the Baals – other, foreign gods. And the cycle continued as the Lord continued to punish then rescue.
Those days were similar to present day pontificating. Everyone had their own ideas, serving gods of their choice as the arguments abounded. Everyone did as they pleased, with children influenced by the fathers and their teachings
Politically there were as many controversies as today. Should the ideas of the Egyptians supersede the teachings of the Jewish Fraternity?
Europe is facing a huge dilemma as the machinations of Brexit unfold, and decisions will be made that affect future generations, but how many children could give a coherent opinion on the matter beyond what they have been told by adults. How dangerous this can be when opinions are far from a Christian viewpoint.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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