Conviction (noun) con-vic-tion: a strong belief
Synonyms: confidence, faith, principal, sureness
I am a lover of history and homeschooling my children has ignited that love in me more than ever. I often look back and see what motivated homeschooling pioneers, what allowed them to stand with conviction, and what inspired them. As the landscape of the homeschooling community changes, I can’t help but look back once again.
When I study the pioneers of the homeschool movement, I find a drive, a deep conviction to go against the grain; a conviction that showed up in their sacrifice, their passion, and their faith. Parents chose to homeschool because they knew they were called by God to do so. Their conviction to raise up their own children free from the chains of the government was the driving force. They relied upon their creativity, determination, faith, and community not a government check.
Then, something changed.
I look around today and I believe that we are living in a time when conviction is being replaced with entitlement and convenience. This new generation expects others to make the way for them, provide for them, and make it easy for them. I see an exchange of sacrifice for a demand of one’s ‘fair share.’ I see parents wanting someone else to fund their choices and make their choices easier. But when parents expect someone else to provide the way and the means, they act out of entitlement, not faith or conviction.
Without faith and conviction, it is easy to run when the going gets tough; it is easy to demand that someone come along and make it convenient and it is easy to forget the very reason we chose this path in the first place. It is easy to let shiny things deter us from the greater call, leading us into traps that threaten our purpose and our freedom.
Educate with Conviction
BUT, when we stand on unshakeable ground, with a passion and confidence in that which we are called, we step into a place of strength and purpose. We can say, with conviction, why we do what we do.
- We don’t do it because it is easy; we do it because anything worth doing is worth the struggle.
- We don’t do it because we can afford it; we do it because we can’t afford not to.
- We don’t do it because we are guaranteed a certain result but because we are called.
- We don’t do it because the alternative is bad; we do it because God’s way is best.
- We don’t do it out of fear; we do it in faith.
The Blessings of Conviction
- When we act with conviction, circumstances won’t deter us, they will push us to find a way.
- When we act with conviction, we don’t depend on others to make it possible, we depend on the One that has called us to it and promises to provide the way.
- When we act with conviction we will sacrifice, give up, and work hard, knowing the results will be that much greater.
Let us look to those pioneers and like them, educate with conviction. We can be motivated out of a love for our family, a conviction in our calling, and a passion for the freedom to live out both. It is there we will find the greatest blessing.
Join the Network
Work alongside other parents who educate with conviction and protect education independence in your state! Join the Education Independence Network and attend our monthly virtual seminar calls to be equipped and encouraged!
