June 18, 2015

I have several sources I use for daily Bible study, but none of these sources seemed to highlight a relevant verse today, that is until I went into prayer time.  It was then God revealed the application of the Verse of the Day from Bible Gateway (an online site that sends a verse to my inbox each morning). 

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4 ESV

When I first read the verse, I thought, "Well, since Seth is gone from the house, the verse has little application."  But then as I entered a time of prayer and began to pray for the day ahead at school, God revealed to me that I am a father-figure of sorts for 100 summer school kids each day.  In fact educators are considered to be "in loco parentis".  This does not mean crazy parents, but is Latin for "in place of a parent".  So while my opportunities to parent Seth may be few, I still have the legal, moral, and spiritual responsibility to be the best "parent" I can be to each child at Sunshine.

Perhaps more important than the application of this one verse, is the realization that God did not reveal His message to me until I had gone to Him in prayer.  Just opening the Bible and hoping a truism or epiphany will happen is foolhardy.  God wants conversation.  He craves our company.  While the importance is Bible reading cannot be overstated, neither can the necessity of prayer.