The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NIV)
Our family loves the zoo, especially the African safari, aquarium, elephants, monkeys, spiders, reptiles, and unusual birds. Okay – we like it all! It is one thing to read about these creatures from distant lands and exotic places, but quite another to get up close and personal with wild animals.
What is it that is so fascinating about seeing a tiger in real life? Why do we stand in awe upon our first glance at the enormity of a hippo, giraffe or elephant?
Coming close and personal after learning from afar changes our perspective. Our storybook tales put on flesh and finally they are real.
There is a word that is used to describe God coming to us, coming close to us. It is word that means to “put on flesh.” It is the word “incarnation”. As Christians, we believe the God of heaven – the God of eternity – came to us in and through Jesus. God “put on flesh”. He got close to us – wild and mysterious for sure, but in Jesus God suddenly became tangible and touchable.
His disciples (followers) walked with Him, talked with Him, touched Him, ate with Him, and lived in close proximity with Him. In Jesus, people encountered and experienced the one true God whom they’d only had peripheral access to before.
Making God real to our children begins with us as parents. As moms, we are the examples for them. Our children are watching and listening. One of the most powerful life-changing ways for our children to see God as real and alive is to see mom and dad follow Him wholeheartedly. Putting on “the flesh of God” as we live out the “Word of God”.
We love and serve others.
We treasure Christ in His Word.
We open our home to friends and neighbors.
We seek God’s will in prayer.
We sacrificially give of our time, talent, and treasure.
Before we can expect our children to see God as real, we must live out a faith that is real. This doesn’t mean that we live a perfect life. None of us is capable of that standard except Jesus Himself. But, if our life is authentic, through the ups and the downs our children see a mom who clings to God more than anything else. As we live out an active and vibrant faith, we help the invisible God become visible.
- How has the example of other people most impacted your life spiritually?
- In what ways are you struggling to live out the word of God personally?
- What is one way you will “put on the flesh of God” and live out His truth today?
Father, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Empower me to live out Your Word. I want my kids to see You through me. Help me to make Your heart, truth, love, and wisdom tangible to them. Work through me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Blessings,
Ruth Schwenk
Loved this. You nailed it.
To answer your questions…
1) The actions of others really hasn’t had an effect, but that may be because I am terminally ill. I have had to learn the whole spiritual cricket match from basic principles. Bad show, that, but more than a little illuminating.
2) This one’s easy; forbearance. My perspective is different, and I have little patience with my wife when she breaks a nail, as I have been vomiting blood. But this is wrong; we see things from our individual points of view, and these do not translate.
3) This is also easy. I will get up, and attend to my duties, ignoring the pain that would keep me horizontal and drugged. I have a job to do, and it’s not yet completed. Feelings are irrelevant; duty is all.
How’d I do?