Which Child are You? Challenging or Compliant?

My three preschool grandkids provide lots of in-house entertainment. Last week, for instance, I told my three-year-old granddaughter that I was getting ready to fly far away on a big plane again. She said, “Are you going to tell other people about Jesus?”

“Well, on this trip I’ll be teaching people how to write books,” I said.

She blinked her big, blue eyes and said, “Grandma, you’re not a teacher!”

I laugh at the kids’ comments and imagination, and I watch with great interest as their personalities develop. It’s fascinating to see how different they are despite being raised in the same family.

I see the same thing in God’s family

Some of His kids are more gentle than others. Some are more intense. Some are more compassionate. Some are better listeners. Some are bent on doing their own thing while others are more apt to do what their Father says.

The compliant

King David was one of those who did as he was told. In Acts 13:22, Paul taught that God said, 

“I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.”

What parent wouldn’t love to have a child like that? Imagine—a son or daughter who does everything Mom or Dad require. No yelling, no tantrums, no stalling for time. Just unquestioned obedience.

The more challenging

Compare that to the child who yells in defiance, stomps his feet, and slams the doors.  Compare to the one who says he’ll obey but then runs off and does the opposite.

A parent loves his kids no matter their temperament, but I’ll bet one brings him more pleasure than the other. Which would it be? It’s a no-brainer.

If God were to talk to someone about you and me, what would He say? Would He say that we’re strong-willed and bent on doing things our way? Or would He say that we, like King David, do everything He wants us to do?

I pray that it’s the latter because, after all, God is a loving, all-wise, sovereign Father. We ought to be able to trust His judgment and know that He’ll never ask us to do something that’s impossible, wrong, or meant to hurt us.

Knowing the truth about His character, let’s strive to do everything He wants us to do. No more whining, pouting, or backtalk.