Many parents view the teenage years with a "survival" mentality. They just want their families to escape these hectic years in one piece. However, there is a great window of opportunity to shape the heart of a youth so they will follow Christ for the rest of their lives. The teen years expose the reality of Romans 1:25 for both parents and teens: the tendency to exchange the worship and service of the Creator for the worship and service of created things." (16).
The difficulties and struggles simply expose what lies in our character: "There is nothing that comes out of a drunk that was not in there in the beginning". The teenage years expose parents' self righteousness, impatience, unforgiving spirit, lack of servant love, the weakness of faith, and craving for comfort and ease (17).
In the first chapter, the author shares an example of a father exploding in anger at his son's report card. He said, "How dare you do this to me after all I have done for you!". He was angry because his son had taken away things he valued very much: reputation as a successful Christian father, respect, and comfort (18). There was no attitude of ministry, sense of opportunity, or desire to be part of what God was doing in his son's life.
The mundane moments in life are actually doors of opportunity for parents to shepherd the heart of their youth while acknowledging their own sinful tendencies.
Alex's thoughts: I agree with his all the main points- that the teenage years bring sin to light in ways we cannot imagine. And as believers, we have a responsibility to turn away and embrace the forgiveness provided in Christ.
Questions for us to ponder:
- How do you and I view difficulties in life? As learning opportunities or as inconvenient problems?
- What prevents us from seeing all situations in life as opportunities for God to teach us?
- What sins get in the way?
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