For many years now, my children have been among my best teachers about the Kingdom of God. Sure, they usually are unaware of the lessons they give but those lessons are no less powerful for their innocence. Recently, my son taught me a lesson about who I listen to.
My son, who is seven, has a friend in the neighborhood with whom he likes to play at every opportunity. The two boys share a lot of interests and get along well. If I had to express one complaint about this other boy, though, it would be that he opines and prognosticates on any and every subject that arises and does so with a certainty and authority that invite no question. Unfortunately, his desire to express himself seems to be paramount; truth runs a distant second if it even places at all.
My son often wants to know when his friend will be available to play and, as with everything, his friend is quick to offer definitive answers. They’re not necessarily (or often) correct but delivered with than assurance that leaves my son harboring no doubt as to their veracity.
On one particular day, at 5:30 in the afternoon, the friend was called to dinner. My son immediately wanted to know if they would be able to continue playing after dinner. My son was crestfallen when his friend confidently replied that he would be going to bed immediately after dinner because it was a school night.
Having a few years of experience under my belt as well as knowing the habits of this particular family, I knew without a doubt that no such bedtime was planned by the boy’s parents and that, in all likelihood, the boys would have plenty of time to continue playing after dinner.
I explained this to my son who objected that his friend had been quite clear about his plans for the rest of the evening. I countered by reminding my son of his friend’s track record – which was as close to perfectly wrong as one could imagine. My son then had the choice of believing me, his dad who didn’t appear to be involved and to have reason to know what he was talking about – or his friend who, after all, would seem to be the best source of information since it was his life and plans we were talking about.
How often do I make the mistake my son did! God says one thing and somebody else make a pronouncement or a plan or even takes an action that is in direct contradiction to God’s promise. And I listen to the other person because that’s real, right?
The good news is that, slowly but very surely, God is showing me that, despite my doubts and the assurances of my senses, there is only one Reality.
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