We’re bombarded daily by all sorts of influences outside of our control. And naturally we look to those in power to make a difference, as this is part of the duty of leadership. But in doing so we must not neglect our own power to set our house in order.
Of course, we should be concerned with what our kids are exposed to at school and as they explore online. There might also be certain extended family members or neighbors who don’t share our values. And various news outlets and government officials might endorse a worldview radically different from our own as well.
To be sure, it’s our sacred duty to protect our home from any influence that pulls our loved ones away from God’s best. But we must not be so concerned with shielding them from outside influences that we fail to properly equip them to navigate life in this world.
On the one hand, there’s certainly a time to fight against the corrupting elements in our community. We have a duty to our neighbor and not just ourselves. At the same time, we have a special duty to those within our own house, and we must not abdicate our primary mission to set it in order.
We do this in part by faithfully establishing the culture and guiding principles of our home. This helps to safeguard those within our care while also freeing us from worry about what others are doing. We don’t have to fret about the direction of society or electing certain individuals to office. We can still advocate for the causes we believe are important, but we don’t look to these outside factors to do what God has uniquely appointed us to do within our own homes.
In the end, watch out for the evil influences trying to sneak into your home. But don’t let this distract you from your duty to put your own house in order. This internal strength makes you more resilient to the factors outside of your control.
