Lesson 312: "Channeling Excitement"
The English dictionary gives the definition of channel as; “the official course of transmission of communication”. The definition of excitement is; “thrilling or stirring”. Life for a six year old is very exciting, stirring, thrilling and active. A mom of a six year old recently shared a story with me that was just too cute to keep to myself so I asked permission to use it for this bible study. She said that her young son jumps out of bed every morning ready for the world and all that it brings; and the things he might have missed yesterday. Going to school is a joy and he finds great pleasure in his friends and looks forward to meeting both old and new acquaintances during class and outside of class. Included in his new found friends’ circle and frequent visitor is the elementary school principal which in turn brought about a parent/principal visit with the suggestion that the parents curb the child’s enthusiasm. Not wanting to break his spirit but anxious to explain to him the need to be obedient to his “authorities” they had a parent/school boy talk. “We love your outlook on life but there is a time and a place for everything” they explained, “and although we do not want to squelch your zeal you must learn to channel this excitement while in school. He nodded his little head as if he understood and promised to keep his feelings “channeled”. However, later that night when on his knees by his bedside, he confessed to Jesus that he did not quite know how to do this so he asked Jesus to “stand by my side at school”. Ah! The faithful honesty of a child! Do you have it?
Jesus spotted this faith of a child and loved them; protected them and warned that no one look down on them; “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in Heaven always see the face of my Father in Heaven” (Matt. 18:10). He reprimanded the chief priests and the teachers of the law for being indignant when the children sang; “Hosanna to the Son of David”. Jesus asked; “Have you never read that from the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise” (Matt. 21:14-16, Ps. 8:2)? Why? Because of the faithful, innocent trust of a child! No one has told them yet that they must channel their excitement for Jesus! How sad it is that when some of us “grow in Christ” we “grow out of Christ”! “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). Here Paul is speaking of the yoke of sin but I speak of the yoke of intimidation; the yoke of suppression. “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth” (Gal. 5:7)? “What has happened to your joy” (Gal. 4:15)?
We no longer reflect the Lord’s glory because we have let idle talk and criticism of our faith halt our transformation (2 Cor. 3:18). God anointed us; set His seal of ownership on us; put His Spirit in our hearts; guaranteed us a place in Heaven (2 Cor. 1:21-22) and I would think that is something that all Christians should shout about; whenever and wherever! Whether we are six or sixty or one hundred and six we are all children of God; sons of God; clothed with Christ and we all have the full rights of heirs (Gal. 3:26-4:5-7). We should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to us and keep God’s commands (1 Cor. 7:17, 19b) regardless of what people say about us or to us. Every Christian has received the Spirit of God which He freely gives us and should express spiritual truths in spiritual words (1 Cor. 2:12-13) and should be prepared in season and out to speak this Word (2 Tim. 4:2). Do not be ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16); do not put out the Spirit’s fire (1 Thess. 5:19) and praise your Lord and Savior with excitement and without restraint. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Ps. 150:6).