A little boy is sitting with his mom and dad. His parents ask him with great curiosity, “Son, what do you want to be when you grow up?” The son boldly announced, “When I grow up I want to be Batman.” Now, most people have heard a conversation like this take place, and in the place of Batman answers are given like a Superman, a fireman, a police officer, a doctor, a nurse, a professional athlete, etc. A child does not always really know what he or she wants to be at an early age, but if you examine the types of answers that children give to this question, you will see a common theme. Children want to be something great. They want to be something that makes a difference.
In the world in which we live today, we do need great nurses, doctors, teachers, lawyers and so many other wonderful people and professionals. We need people who are out in the world really trying to help people and who desire to make a difference. Yet, instead of just encouraging people and especially young people to pick an amazing career, set some spiritual goals. Noble goals would include one day being an elder, a deacon, a preacher (or a wife and helper of an elder, a deacon or a preacher), a teacher or just a hard worker and a supporter in the church. As each year goes by, it gets harder and harder to find people willing to teach or lead a Bible study. Fewer and fewer people want to be elders or deacons, and there is definitely a shortage of sound Gospel preachers. Wouldn’t it be great if our children not only desired a great career, but they also desired to be faithful Christians?
Just a few days ago, I was sitting with my two-year-old, Josh. I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. My heart melted when he shouted out loudly, “Jesus!” Now, I have no idea why at that particular moment he shouted out Jesus, but it really made this dad smile. I hope my kids will always desire to be like Christ. For my son and daughter, I hope they will desire to be Christians first. I hope they will choose Christian spouses and live in faithful marriages. I hope they will one day be Christian parents and lead their homes toward Christ each day. I hope my children will be Christ-like toward every person with whom they come in contact—their friends and their enemies. My hopes and dreams for my kids are the same as many Christian parents all over the world. Let us always encourage our offspring to have spiritual dreams and goals and to recognize that the time to start working toward those goals is right now.
