(Editor’s Note: This is part of a series on discipleship and young mothers. If you missed the first posts earlier this month, be sure to check out Part 1: Discipleship is for Young Moms, Too and Part 2: No Sufficiency to Disciple Other Women? No problem!)
by Melanie Yong
What are some reasons we don’t disciple as young moms? How does the gospel challenge these objections?
To explore these questions I wrote down some of the objections that I’ve used before. Here’s the first one (of several)…
Objection #1: I don’t have the time or energy. Discipling younger women is not convenient.
The other day I was trying to figure out how to make something. And my son said to me, “Just use your computer and search for it.” Ta-da. Instant information with the push of a button. No need go to the library to find a book or call an expert for advice. All I had to do was push a button.
We live in a culture of convenience. Things come easily and often instantly. In some ways, this ease of life cuts against the very grain of Christianity which calls us to deny ourselves and live for Someone greater.
Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Christ loved sinners to the point of death on a cross! If we have received that sacrifice, how can we not also sacrifice to love others by investing in their lives? If we are in Christ how can we not also be energized by his strength?
Christ has redeemed that sister in your church. He means to sanctify her and make her more like Christ.
If our lives can be used by God in his work of sanctification, we would be wise to consider whether this objection of inconvenience and lack of energy is legitimate or not.
It’s true: life only gets busier with children.
As moms, we are responsible to train up our children in the fear of the Lord and they should be one of our main priorities. It does require much of our best time and energy. But are we making the best use of the time because the days are evil (Eph. 5:16)?
If I examine my own life truthfully, I admit that I find myself checking into email or browsing on Facebook more than necessary. That’s just one example of how I waste time. Sometimes I want to selfishly get away from my kids for a moment. Sometimes it’s to legitimately relax or do work.
But for all those times where I am wasting my time, how much more fruitful would it be to read a good book, a gospel-centered article, or meditate on some truth of Scripture? How much more fruitful would it be if I gathered those wasted minutes and do that with another believer? The truth is that I am lazy and selfish. I want to do what is easy. And it is pathetically easier for me to be temporarily satisfied knowing the latest status of all my friends, rather than in thinking about how I might access grace through the powerful Word or thinking about how I might benefit another spiritually.
Nothing about Christ dying on the cross was convenient for Him.
It wasn’t an easy task that took no effort. Likewise, we shouldn’t expect that imitating Christ should be easy. He suffered and gave his life for His people. Why should we expect to do any less?
As we look forward to the privilege of being God’s instruments for sanctification in the lives of other believers, we should embrace the price associated with it and rejoice in Jesus’ provision of everything we need.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Melanie is from California. She’s married to Jeremy, who is a pastor in the Golden State. Together they’re raising three photogenic children (Miah, Ellie and Bethan) with another on the way. Mel’s welcoming smile is indicative of her joyful hospitality. Mel is crazy about seafood, but she finds particular delight in meditating on God’s word as it applies to discipling her children.
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“The truth is that I am lazy and selfish. I want to do what is easy. And it is pathetically easier for me to be temporarily satisfied knowing the latest status of all my friends, rather than in thinking about how I might access grace through the powerful Word or thinking about how I might benefit another spiritually.” Describes me too! Thanks again, Melanie, for a convicting and encouraging article to ponder and put into practice.
These articles have been such a blessing. Recently, I have been preparing a welcome kit for our church Preschool Ministry that are going out by the new school year in September. I am putting these articles and the link inside the kit. Hope our new moms and visitors will be blessed and inspired like I was. Hope to hear more from Melanie. God bless you all.
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