It’s possible I might step gently on a few toes here. It is not my intent. I am only bringing some awareness to a critical error in our teachings.

In our church culture in the west, we have created many a cliché’. Some true and others not. Yet we very often pass around a sense of something that is simply not biblical.

Often, we are raised with a “family first” mentality. Family is so important of course. But…..What I see with Jesus is him teaching while his mother and brother come looking for him. As He is told they are “here.” His response is stunning. “These are my mothers and brothers.” and He continues the mission to which He was sent.

As a born again believer we are also now in the family of God. So when we neglect our Kingdom brothers and sisters, we are also still neglecting “family.”

For us women who have been taught this through our denominations, we find a snare of the enemy who then uses our families as a false anchor to choose something as higher than that which Christ has called us to.

In no way am I saying neglect your families. Truth be told, we are quite blessed in the western world (even spoiled) and have yet to teach our children the sacrifice of being a Christ follower. So they grow up thinking family is first rather than Christ is Head. This will hurt their walk later.

We understand the cost of a missionary called to the field. There is a leaving what’s familiar, downsizing material possessions, and even leaving family members for long periods of time.

Yet daily we forget the call to many is the same. There will be times when God calls you to something that will cause you to miss a moment in time with your loved ones. There will be times you have to say, “No” to a family gathering because God has called you to prayer and there will be times when you will be faced with obeying God or obeying man (family.) Either way your ultimate loyalty must stay with Christ. Our children must see us laying down our plush lives for the sake of the gospel. This is Kingdom legacy.

I remember when my son use to cry every time I left town to go minister. He was fed well, clothed, and I worked from home so was able to care for him, and my daughter, daily. I would explain to him each time that one day he, too, would have to go where Jesus said to go.

In Gods goodness, He told me to give my son a job as a prayer warrior in the ministry…so I did. The faith of a child would be powerful.

I explained to him how the Lord said he was to pray for Mommy while she was gone and for all those people I would be ministering to. He was so excited. He never once cried again when I left.

He learned there was a cost to following Jesus. Mommy was living it in front of him and he was playing a valuable role in the Kingdom. There has been many a time supper was a little late because the Lord decided to write a song. Often, my son would be playing with friends in our home and find himself explaining to them why his Mom was in the closet:-)

“It’s where she meets with Jesus.”

We must be ever so cautious that we make no idols out of our spouses, or children, but that we teach well the authentic life of following Jesus. The life that understands….He is Lord.

It may be critical to their very survival one day should our world continue to turn from God.

Love your families. Love them well. Care deeply for them. They are precious. Lavish over them. Thank God for them. Cherish them.

But do not use them as an excuse to follow Jesus less…

The one loving father or mother above Me is not worthy of Me, and the one loving son or daughter above Me is not worthy of Me.

Matthew 10:17