Gifts for the Next Generation

给下一代的礼物.             
Gěi xià yīdài de lǐwù.

August 2021

Written by Mr. Lam Kok Hiang, Singapore,

Leadership Mentor, CRU Singapore.

Dear Ministry Partners,  亲爱的事工伙伴，Qīn’ài de shì gōng huǒbàn,

Lately, my wife and I have found ourselves pondering over what to leave behind for our young adult children when the time comes for us to depart this world.  As responsible parents, we want to equip our children with the resources they need to thrive in their generation - a good education that prepares them to make a comfortable living, and faith-based Godly values that will prepare them for the life ahead.

There is another set of gifts that we can give to our next generation, which will shape their lives, values, and the choices they make. These legacy gifts will remain with them even after we are no longer around and we pray they will become guiding lights and moral compass in whatever situation they face.

The way we invest in and grow our personal relationship with God impacts our children deeply, in how they may in turn know God personally and be able to turn to God as their anchor. Putting to death of carnal nature and living out our faith in God at home is a daily challenge because we are all imperfect beings and work in progress. Yet, challenging as it may be, the home is where we can best model how we embrace God and trust Him through the ups and downs of life. We are to lead by example as we pray earnestly, give thanks to God generously, and trust God resolutely as we go through each life circumstance. We must proclaim God’s faithfulness to our next generation.

“Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your mighty acts to all who are to come,” so says Psalm 71:18.

我们投资并发展与上帝的个人关系的方式对我们的孩子产生了深远的影响，他们可能会反过来认识上帝并能够转向上帝作为他们的锚。消灭肉体的本性并在家里活出我们对上帝的信仰是每天的挑战，因为我们都是不完美的人，并且都在不断努力。然而，尽管可能具有挑战性，但在家庭中，我们可以最好地示范我们如何在生活的起起落落中拥抱上帝并相信他。我们要以身作则，恳切祷告，慷慨地感谢神，在人生的每一个境遇中坚决信靠神。我们必须向我们的下一代宣扬上帝的信实。

There is no perfect marriage, and every union has its challenges in different seasons. When husbands and wives honour their marriage vows by loving each other unconditionally, putting the other person’s interest before their own and making the marriage work despite imperfection and human weakness, it gives children a sense of security and strength. This leaves an imprint of love in their hearts even as they go on to get married and set up their own families.

As parents, we constantly intercede for our children, praying over their lives. By faith, we believe that our prayers will shape and mould our children now and in the future. We take control that God hears the cries of our hearts and the impact of our prayers will outlive us.

These generational gifts that we desire to leave behind are often a lifetime in the making. As we model them in our lives, may they serve as signposts that steer our children back to God even if they drift away for a season.

Some of us may feel we have not done well or are far behind in planning. Take heart! It is not too late to start living out these gifts. Our God is a redemptive God and He will grant us the grace as we seek to bless our next generation with these gifts.

Signed, Lam Kok Hiang.

For Those Studying the Chinese Language, the following ten vocabulary words / phrases should be a great help in your studies:

signposts = 路标 lùbiāo

sense of security = 安全感 ānquán gǎn

set of gifts = 一套礼物 yī tào lǐwù

responsible parents = 负责任的父母 fù zérèn de fùmǔ

constantly intercede = 不断的代祷 bùduàn de dài dǎo

guiding lights and moral compass = 指路明灯和道德指南针 hǐ lù míngdēng hé dàodé zhǐnánzhēn

Our God is a redemptive God = 我们的上帝是一位救赎的上帝 Wǒmen de shàngdì shì yī wèi jiùshú de shàngdì

leaves an imprint of love in their hearts = 在他们的心中留下爱的印记 zài tāmen de xīnzhōng liú xià ài de yìnjì

every union has its challenges in different seasons = 每个结合在不同的季节都有自己的挑战 měi gè jiéhé zài bùtóng de jìjié dōu yǒu zìjǐ de tiǎozhàn

trust God resolutely as we go through each life circumstance = 在人生的每一个境遇中坚决信靠神 zài rénshēng de měi yīgè jìngyù zhōng jiānjué xìn kào shén