It’s a question that’s asked of every kid in America by well meaning adults. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” But is that the question we should be asking? As Christian parents, our answer is no.
A doctor!
A police officer!
A lawyer!
Typical answers, right? And not bad ones, either. Our kids should strive to be important members of their communities. But is that all what you want for your kids? Yes, you want them to be successful, but at what cost?
I would argue that the most important question we can ask our kids, and ourselves, is not what they want to be, but who they want to be. What kind of person do your kids want to be when they grow up? What kind of person do you want them to be?
Jesus tells us, “blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) and to “love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:35-38)
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.”
Matthew 5:9
According to Scripture, our children should strive to be peacemakers, merciful to all, non-judgemental and non-condemning, fair, and ready to forgive. That is what I want my children to be when they grow up. And whatever they find to do within the abilities God grants them, let them pursue that for God’s kingdom. If they become a doctor or nurse, I pray that they will be compassionate and caring with all of their patients no matter where they come from or who they are. If they become a police officer I pray that they would be fair and just in their policing. And if they become a lawyer or judge, I pray that they take all facts into consideration and be honest and caring in their decisions.
And no matter what, I pray that my children become people who always put God first, who work for the kingdom of God in everything they do, be loving and kind in every interaction they have with His people (because everyone is a child of God, no matter their background or what they believe), and strive to be someone their communities look up to.
My goal in this stage of life is to train my children up in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). I want my children to be kind and loving, self-sufficient and self assured while staying humble. I want my kids to be the ones who pick up trash other people leave behind and talk to the kids on the many playgrounds we visit who have no one to play with.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Our travels will put our children in many situations where they will have the opportunity to show their love of God and to express the talents God has given them. Today, I pray that you, too, would ask your children who they want to be and not just what they want to be. Because you don’t have to be grown up before you become a person on influence for the kingdom of God.
What do you want for your children? Would you like us to pray for you and your children? Share your comments with us below or send us an email! We’d love to hear from you!
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