Short Cuts in Life - Part 2

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. (One day) the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. Acts 19:13-16
 
New Years Resolutions often fail, some say by as much as 80-90%. None of us, however, set a resolution with the intent to fail. We resolve to make a change, pick up a new healthy habit or drop a bad one. What goes wrong? Often in my life the beginning of the end of a resolution can be found in the most simple of short cuts. I want the end goal – really – but I want it NOW and without so much effort. Whether it is losing a few pounds, or reading more scripture, or just being more like Jesus, I don’t lack intent. It’s simply all too convenient to opt for a path that bypasses the very growth process that leads to the intended results. 
 
Take the Seven Sons of Sceva for instance. They wanted to wield the power of God, performing the kind of miracles they saw flowing from the disciples. Maybe they wanted fame and glory, or maybe they truly wanted to help others. Either way they chose a short cut. Rather than realizing God’s power by being in the presence of God, they co-opted the relationship that the disciples had with Jesus and tried to make it work. The short cut wouldn’t serve them well. The power of God didn’t show up. And they got a good beating for it! 
 
In our lives as parents, we can’t short cut our way to spiritually engaged families. We can’t rely exclusively on the church to teach our children what they need to know about Christ. We can’t reserve prayers for meal times and expect to raise children conversant in prayer. We can’t send them off to camp and hope they come home with role models that surpass the influence we have in our kids’ lives the other weeks of the year. Parenting toward spiritual maturity is a long obedience – a constant journey in the same direction. It requires resolve, yes, and a commitment to press on toward knowing the Christ we want to impart to our children. 
When it comes to faith, our children will see either road we take – the short cut or the long run. And they are likely to do just the same.