Is Peer Pressure Ruling Our Lives?
 Dr. William K. Wymond

An excellent article by Dr. John Rosemond entitled “Identifying Frantic Family Syndrome” speaks of parents who “spend a disproportionate amount of time racing children from one activity to another, of weekend activities that are centered primarily around the children, and (of) perpetual exhaustion on the part of parents, along with the general feeling that the children don’t appreciate much of anything done for them.”

I must say, candidly, that I see that with some of our church family. Some of our children are involved in so many activities that they and their parents have little or no free time for themselves. Dr. Rosemond posits that children should be growing up “to be independent, resourceful, self-reliant, and willing to be of service to others.” Being involved in too many things and being entertained all the time does not allow children to develop these important character traits.

We battle peer pressure in our community. Young mothers and fathers feel pressured to see that their children miss nothing that is offered. Children must be involved in every sport. They must take a little of this and a little of that. Heaven forbid, if the content should allow them to become bored, or if children should have to come up with meaningful activity on their own. In addition to growing children who demand to be entertained and who expect to have everything now, we are growing children who are generalists, they are a little good at a lot of things, and not really good at anything.

There was a time, not so long ago, when we could count on the local culture to support our families in our Christian life-style. Local schools and recreational organizations used to honor the Lord’s day and Wednesday church activities, but no more. Now they seem to work against these days. All sorts of activities are scheduled on Sundays and Wednesdays: Soccer games, baseball, football, swim competitions, ballet, school practices, all sorts of things are scheduled at times when God’s people have a prior commitment.

How nice it would be if we could count on our community to set our standards. However, the time has come when we must accept this responsibility for ourselves. That’s painful for some. Peer pressure is strong. Christ called us to a life of meaningful commitment, not a commitment of convenience, not a commitment whose standards are determined by the world. No one is suggesting that we should be some strange, legalistic church group. But, we have pledged to Christ and the Church family “to support (attend) the work and worship of the Church to the best of our ability.” Keeping this pledge is not only keeping our word, it is doing what is best for us and our families. It is, as well, doing our duty to God, which is to worship Him in response to his gift of Christ for us, something that is done in the company of our fellow believers, not at a soccer game (or whatever). We have always known that discipleship was supposed to cost. Perhaps, the time has come for us to know a little of that by experience?