Children – Our Tomorrow
Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. (2Kings 2:2)
Today is Children’s Sunday here. A church without children is like a house without foundations or a tree without roots. We thank God for a vibrant children’s church; and every fifth Sunday of the month, we have opportunity to worship together, with children leading many parts of the service. Someone has once said that ‘without my children my house would be clean and my wallet would be full but my heart would be empty’. The children fill our hearts with warmth and Jesus has taught us to welcome embrace them in His Name always. It is also a day to remember that there is no success without a successor – and these children will certainly take our mantles one day, thank God. They are our tomorrow.
We also celebrate with the youth who will be confirmed today; Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by the Bishop. It is required of those to be confirmed that they have been baptized, are sufficiently instructed in the Christian Faith, are penitent for their sins, and are ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We have duly prepared the candidates, and trust that they will go out there to live as committed Christians growing in and serving the Lord Jesus Christ wherever they go.
There was a little drama when Elisha was to succeed Elijah; the master seemed to push away his junior but Elisha would not let go, and three times he refused to remain behind as Elijah went ahead to the places where God had sent him. Elisha persisted in following his master, until he was asked to make his last prayer before Elijah’s departure. In answer to that prayer, Elisha was blessed and anointed, and he received the mantle to carry on the prophetic ministry. Do you hear that child who persistently follows you, watching and longing for mentorship? Do you see the hunger and thirst in that child who draws inspiration from you? We have the duty to our children – to inspire, to teach, to train, to give example, to mentor them as they grow.
On the other hand, Paul simply gave Timothy the instructions, even when the younger does not directly demand them as the case of Elisha. Whether they demand it or not, we the elders have the duty to raise them in following and serving God and His people. May the Lord give you the grace to impact the younger generation for His glory.
God bless you all.