1 QUOTE

“Modern society puts great pressure on individuals to prove their worth through personal achievement. It is no longer enough to be a good citizen or family member. You must win to show you are one of the best.”

- Pastor Tim Keller

1 NOTE

This past week I saw something at the end of an NBA game that I have never seen before. (And I have watched a lot of basketball over my lifetime.) Giannis Antetokounmpo is a world champion, NBA Finals MVP and two-time league MVP. His team, the Milwaukee Bucks were swept in round one of the playoffs. His superstar teammate, Dame Lillard, tore his Achilles in game three and will be out all of next year. In the elimination game, Giannis’ teammate had a meltdown which lead to a shocking and embarrassing defeat. As the players were shaking hands, a fan ran on the court, got into Antetokounmpo’s face, talked trash and cursed him out. Giannis controlled his emotions, just staring at him in bewilderment. We quickly learned this was no ordinary fan, but this was the father of the Pacers’ superstar, Tyrese Halliburton. This on court-conflict made me think about kids, parents and the professionalization of childhood.

In John’s Gospel, family is formed and functions under the power of the cross. As Jesus breathed his last on the cross, he turned to his mother and said, “Behold, your son.” He then turned to the Apostle John and said, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:26). Under the power of cross, Jesus forms new families. One of my favorite Puritan pastors wrote, “May every family be a little church, and may every parent be little pastors.” It is a beautiful image of parents gently teaching their children the narrow road of discipleship, modeling how to carry their cross daily. The home is meant to be full of faith and love, not competition to achieve.

David Brooks describes this development as ‘the professionalization of childhood.’ From their first years, children are taught to compete, excel and master their sport (or study, instrument, etc). Pastor Tim Keller adds, “The family is no longer a haven in a heartless world, counterbalancing the dog-eat-dog areas of life. Instead the family has become the nursery where the craving for success is first cultivated.”

Our family loves tennis. We have participated in more than our share of youth tennis tournaments. I will never forget the little 10 year-old girl who called for the umpire, even though her match just ended. Everyone scratched their heads wondering if the sweet little girls was trying to change the score or protest the match. The umpire entered the court. With tears in her eyes, the little girl had one request of the umpire, “Will you please walk me to the car? My dad is going to yell at me because I lost.”

1 QUESTION

Will you pray this prayer with me, “Father, fill our homes with faith and love, creating havens from the heartless world.”

Until Next Tuesday,

John