“Do the best with what you’ve been given.” I could instantly see a few light bulbs go on when I said those words in Kids Church yesterday. I preached from Jeremiah 29, one of the most painful chapters in the Bible, if you ask me. The Jews had been kicked out of their own homes, taken to a land of captivity in Babylon by the autocratic ruler Nebuchadnezzar, only to hear these very discouraging words from God through the prophet Jeremiah: “Get comfy. You’re gonna be here a while.” No miraculous invention. No lightning bolts to smite down the bad guys. No relief.

I said to the kids that they obviously haven’t been kicked out of their homes, but what’s going on in their life right now that they find is completely unfair? Not having a cell phone like “all” of the other kids? Going to a new school? Having to do the dishes after dinner?

My next question to them was, “How can we glorify God in that?” First of all, we should do the best with what we’ve been given. If we’re going to a new school, try your best to have a good attitude and make some friends. If you’re struggling with materialism, make a list of what you DO have and praise God for it. Just like the Jews, we’ve been called to glorify God no matter the circumstance. Why should we do that? Because in verse 11, God says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

We can glorify God even in the toughest of times because we know that He has a plan behind it all; a plan that ends with a future and a hope. As your kids prepare for the coming school year, encourage them to glorify God in all that they say and do. That is their ultimate purpose in life. I’m praying for you as your disciple your children! May God richly bless your family.