Sunday, March 18, 2012

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 31

1 When Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children for Jacob, she became jealous of her sister. She pleaded with Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” 2 Then Jacob became furious with Rachel. “Am I God?” he asked. “He’s the one who has kept you from having children!” 3 Then Rachel told him, “Take my maid, Bilhah, and sleep with her. She will bear children for me, and through her I can have a family, too.” 

THE VALIDATION OF THE WORLD

Ancient Middle Eastern culture placed great value on a woman who could bear a child, especially a son. Jacob's wives, Rachel and Leah, were sisters and rivals who used childbearing (by giving birth themselves or through their maidservants) to bolster their sense of self-worth. Their competition quickly degenerated and produced sinful attitudes and behavior as they focused on validating themselves by the worldly standard.

Like them, we can define our worth, and the worth of our children, by achievements and the ability to possess what others value. When we measure our significance in these ways, we become slaves to the thoughts and opinions of the world rather than the thoughts and opinions of God. Remember where your true citizenship lies.

Rest in your identity in Christ instead of chasing after worldly validation.

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