The Agony of a Lost Child

One of the most devastating things for a parent is to raise a child to be a Christian and then see that child reject Christianity once they leave home.

Let me also suggest that the same scenario can also be a blessing. As humbling as that event is and the associated feeling of “where did we go wrong” we can be blessed by having a wayward child.

How so? because that spiritual tragedy can transform us into being more compassionate for others in the exact same situation. And that spiritual quality of compassion is exactly what is needed among leaders in the congregation. We learn through pain.

Sometimes when we have children who have never wavered in their faith it can foster a sense of spiritual arrogance and spiritual superiority (whether intended or not)

Some feel that if an Elder has a child who falls away that the Elder must resign his position because he has failed in leading his own family and therefore cannot lead God’s family.

Contrariwise, in my opinion, he becomes a better Elder because of the wayward child… more humble, more compassionate, more prayerful in agony and doubt. To judge an Elder in that situation would be like “twisting the knife” to make him feel the pain more exquisitely.

Peter apparently had no children (that we know of) who fell away. But Peter did himself “fall away” when he rejected our Lord and Savior.

Jesus did not give up on Peter and choose another disciple to replace him because Peter needed to fall away to curb his spiritual arrogance and become the humble leader he was destined to be.

If Peter could fall away even for a short time then anyone can. Jesus lifted Peter up out of his spiritual agony. Can we do any less?