Mindaboo
Puritan Board Graduate
I think that when amazing earthly achievments take the place of the Lord and hinder us from worship they aren't worth the effort.
My children all play music and while they don't earn medals for this they do a lot of times earn the praise of man when people come watch them perform. My stand with them in their music is that I do not expect them to be the best there is, but to be the best they can be. I think that is what honors the Lord. They can still earn the praise of man for their performance and glorify the Lord at the same time. We spend up to three hours a day or more at times with practice, lessons, and orchestra lessons. Is it worth it? I personally think so as long as it isn't taking the place of the Lord. They are also expected to give back with their talents by serving our church with those talents.
My son earned a medal for obtaining Memory Master at our co-op and it was good. For him it represented months of intense work that had a reward.
I think the discipline it takes to acquire these things is commendable, but not at all cost. For unbelievers this all they have, earthly achievements. For the Christian we can have these and honor and glorify the Lord with our talents, time and effort. When it takes the place of the Lord then we have an idol and that should not happen.
My children all play music and while they don't earn medals for this they do a lot of times earn the praise of man when people come watch them perform. My stand with them in their music is that I do not expect them to be the best there is, but to be the best they can be. I think that is what honors the Lord. They can still earn the praise of man for their performance and glorify the Lord at the same time. We spend up to three hours a day or more at times with practice, lessons, and orchestra lessons. Is it worth it? I personally think so as long as it isn't taking the place of the Lord. They are also expected to give back with their talents by serving our church with those talents.
My son earned a medal for obtaining Memory Master at our co-op and it was good. For him it represented months of intense work that had a reward.
I think the discipline it takes to acquire these things is commendable, but not at all cost. For unbelievers this all they have, earthly achievements. For the Christian we can have these and honor and glorify the Lord with our talents, time and effort. When it takes the place of the Lord then we have an idol and that should not happen.