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The
increasing number of divorced and dysfunctional families
demonstrates how fragile marriage is although the
institution was established by Almighty God.
Self-centeredness, excessively passive or domineering
behavior, etc., have brought many families to the brink
of separation. The language of love and care for each
other has been replaced with hatred and pointing of
fingers. Selfish motives edge out God from people's
hearts; this left their doors wide open for the devil.
Parenting too is just as challenging a task as
maintaining a healthy marriage. It is indeed sad to note
that today’s parents are negligent of their God-given
duties. In the pursuit of money and financial security,
parents do not find time for their children and thus
fail to impart Biblical values in the younger
generation. Some have become too friendly with their
children that they have forgotten about their parental
responsibility to correct and discipline their wards.
It is
indeed sad to note that teenagers in many Christian
families do not respect their parents. These youngsters
demand more and more money, gadgets and fashion
accessories and thus become a major cause of financial
drain on their parents. Many are openly rebellious.
Parents dread to correct them.
A
family should function according to the guidelines of
Scripture for it is God, the author of the family, who
knows best.The parable of prodigal son, of course,
portrays the love of the Heavenly Father for sinners.
However the story captures an image of today's
dysfunctional families.
The
family in the story appears to be a well-to-do family
with a loving father and two young sons. The mother,
though not mentioned, might have been there. The very
words of the sons prove that theirs was a discontented
and disintegrated family.
The
older son to the Father: “Look! All these years I've
been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.
Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could
celebrate with my friends.” Luke 15:29 (NIV) It is
obvious that he considered work at his home as bondage.
He never took up responsibilities at his house. His
obedience to his father were not spontaneous actions of
love. Everything was just done as a part of his
wearisome duty.
Secondly, he was not satisfied with the provision
available for him at home. He wanted to celebrate with
his friends. The passivity inside him blocked him off
from the facilities at home. His discontentment burst
out when he received an opportunity to express it.
Thirdly, he had no love and compassion for his sibling.
He said, “But when this son of yours who has squandered
your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the
fattened calf for him!'' He wasn't amused by his
brother's return. His self-centeredness deprived him of
the celebration at home.
Though
the story is 2000 years old it is a well said and
received story because the situation is no better today
for these challenges exist in most of the families
today.
Now,
the younger son was not at all happy to stay at home. He
said, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” (Luke
15:12) He was lured by the attractions of the outside
world. He was unreasonable; he wished his father were
dead for he asked for his share of the family's wealth.
He needed money but was not willing to beg, borrow or
steal. Contrary to the accepted practice of his times,
he preferred to claim what was rightfully his before his
father’s death.
And how
did he invest or spend this wealth? First, he wasted the
money on food and friends; next, he indulged in
fornication. Those were the two channels available to
him but that is not the condition today for the younger
ones to indulge in.
Today,
the challenges that families face have multiplied.
Perversion has taken many forms to lure our youth. Every
sincere parent worries about the choices that their sons
and daughters make.
Our
youths are being destroyed quite like the younger son in
Jesus’ parable. Disobedience and sinful pleasures are
ruining them. And yet, most of the time, the Church has
no time to address these issues. Youths are sidelined
until they become headaches for the Church. Lack of
pastoral care is the hallmark of most churches. It is
time for the Church to wake up.
More
than 60 per cent of India's population is in the age
group of 13 to 29 years. The Church of Jesus Christ is
only source of real comfort and hope for them. Only the
Church can cater to the spiritual needs of this
perishing generation.
It is
high time for the church to give up silly debates about
church hierarchies, organization, elections, petty
squabbles, et cetera, and focus on the needs of the
younger generation in order to lead them to Christian
hope and joy. |
