Families Are Funny
Families are funny, you know. They each have their own idiosyncrasies, which is part of the reason why families bring up so many different emotions. All of us probably have some terrific memories of our families and some not so wonderful memories too.
When we think about family we may have mixed emotions. But like so many complicated topics explored with the faith community – it’s important for us to create a safe place to think about family, to talk about it, and ultimately to discover what the Bible has to say about it.
It doesn’t take long to discover that the Bible actually has a lot to say about families and the purpose of family. What was God trying to do in and through the family?
To answer that question, we have to go all the way back to Genesis – to the very first few chapters when man and woman were created.
Growing up, my family had its ups and downs – but it wasn’t perfect, and I bet no one comes from or is currently in a perfect family either. This is important for us to recognize as we turn to those early chapters in Genesis when human beings came into the world.
Before all of life’s challenges kicked in and our reality became such a mess – God looked at the world and life was good. All was ordered and all things were in harmony with God’s purposes.
We see that the first family was created in Genesis 1:27 (NRSV):
“So God created humans in his image; in the image of God, he created them; male and female he created them.”
God saw this first family, and it was good. Originally, God created the family as a place of blessing, a place where life was good.
If you stop and think about it – family was created long before the church was ever created. And, as a result there are lots and lots of stories about families in the Bible – not perfect, cookie-cutter families but real portraits of families we can relate to.
Sometimes, when you read the Bible, you see that someone who appears to be a pretty good person is actually out of step with God’s Word and God’s will, while others who are unlikely suspects – prostitutes, and murderers, tax collectors, and widows – are actually heroes in the family history of faith.
Certainly, that was the case with Jacob and Esau, and their parents Isaac and Rebekah and their grandparents Abraham and Sarah too. Sometimes, they lack trust in God and try to do a work-a-round. Other times, they step out in faith. But here’s the Good News: despite our focus on the here and now (Esau), and our scheming ways (Jacob), and our tendency to play favorites (Isaac & Rebekah) -- God was still able to use all of these family members to forward the Kingdom of God. This may shock us, but it should surely encourage us, too, for at times we fall as badly as all these men, women, children and parents did. If God could use the likes of them, then surely, he can use us too for his glory.
Questions to Ponder
- What do you feel you deserve, or that you are owed? What are you willing (or not willing) to do to see that you get it?
- Read John 4:1-29 (NLT), the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. Beyond food, for what are you hungering today? What spiritual and emotional hunger do you need to fill?
- Where do you get living water that revives your soul?
Pray
Dear Lord Jesus, you are the source of life, the wellspring of grace, and the living water that quenches our deepest thirst. Forgive us for all the ways that we turn away from you to get our needs met and attempt to nourish our lives. Help us to remember always that You are our living water, sustaining us in every season and situation. As we drink deeply from Your well, may our lives reflect Your grace, compassion, and mercy. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.