If you think that this article is about sports and winning then you should stop reading now! We have too much of that in our society already. Perhaps you think that it is about winning at all costs, you know the George Steinbrenner/New York Yankees mentality, but it is not! Although we could all learn from Jesus’ words in Luke 16: 1-13 in particular verse 8.
Do you remember the old adages: “I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard that” or “If I had it to do over again, I would…”
Personally I believe we “Win, Win, Win” when we as Christian parents partner with our local church, our school and the myriad of God-inspired programs available to us. Look at the Mission Statement of Harrisburg Christian School: Harrisburg Christian School, building upon a foundation established and maintained by the Christian home and Christ-centered church, strives to produce lifelong learners that impact their world for Christ today and tomorrow, through the student’s active and willing participation in outstanding spiritual, educational, and extracurricular programs.
How does that mission fit with verses like “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” III John 4 or “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6? Proper training of our children directly correlates with greater joy in life. I am reminded of a quote from Wayne Cordeiro in Doing Church as a Team, “When you are operating in your gift and passion, you will experience maximum effectiveness with a minimum of weariness”. Are you looking for a real test (good school word) to see if we “Win, Win, Win” with respect to our children? Then ask yourself these few simple questions:
1. Are you an effective element in your children’s lives? If so, list the ways.
2. Are you experiencing greater joy because you see evidence that your children are walking in truth?
3. When was the last time you reviewed your mission/passion/purpose with the Lord to see if it is in agreement with His Word? How do your children fit into the plan?
4. Are your weary of doing what your know is right? If you said, “Yes”, is it a result of self-imposed views; or is it that your partnering with your church, your school, your fellow believers, or your children might be slightly out of alignment.
I find myself in company that is continually asking and discussing what is good for us, what is better for us, and what would God have for us as His best. It is obvious that we have greater joy by assisting our children in walking in truth. It is a “Win, Win, Win” situation. It is also obvious that we sometimes get out of alignment. But we serve a gracious God who has entrusted us with precious gifts, our children. Yes, our children, they just may be the one area in our Christian Walk that we must “Win, Win, Win”. The costs are too high for losing. There may be no other area where we must be passionate, purposeful, mission-driven, seeking the Lord’s Face, while never growing weary. It is a tall order but well worth the effort!
To read more try visiting the following web site:
www.hcs.nu
http://www.hcs.nu/about.aspx
Ernie Corty, Board President Harrisburg Christian School
