“These walls are funny. First you hate ’em, then you get used to ’em. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them. That’s institutionalized.” ~ spoken by Red in The Shawshank Redemption, 1994.
In the Cambridge dictionary, it is noted that if someone becomes institutionalized, they gradually become less able to think and act independently, because of having lived for a long time under the rules of an institution.
Are there areas of your life that you have been institutionalized? Are some of your views being directed by group think rather than independent thinking? Are you hesitant to step out from the status quo in certain areas of your life?
As a child, we view the world with eagerness, excitement, and curiosity, which is a catalyst to learning, exploring, and interacting. A child that is given a variety of toys, experiences, and healthy communication tools thrives. They think and act independently and have a great imagination. They boldly meet challenges and are not easily dismayed from trying new ways to do things.
But then, that child is placed into an institution: a society or organization founded for a religious, educational, social, or similar purpose. (Oxford)
Taken to Sunday School, a good teacher will help to bring the Bible to life to that child, and introduce Jesus to them as one who loves them, encourages them, and wipes their tears. Life lessons that are based on Biblical principles can be brought to life through music, games, discussion, and story telling. On the other hand, a poor teacher will make Scripture reading a chore by shaming those who struggle with memorization, silencing the talkative ones, forcing the fidgety to sit, and talking “at” the class rather than “with” the children. The same contrast can be shown in a traditional school classroom, social club, or even in a family setting around learning a new concept or household skill.
Children are especially vulnerable to the impact of the adults around them because they are experiencing such rapid growth in their minds, social development, and physical changes, and yet it seems that we often forget a number of very important details about this stage of development.
As adults, we forget that we were once children too. How were you impacted as a child by someone who spoke harshly to you, dismissed your opinions, silenced your excitement, “burst your bubble,” quelled your creativity, limited your view of who you could grow to be? Now think about the difference that could have been made if others had loved you, supported you, encouraged you, nudged you to keep going, cheered on your explorative spirit and given you a platform to speak boldly. What might you have tried if there were no invisible barriers or voices holding you back?
As adults, we forget that we don’t know everything. We’ve gotten so used to doing things a certain way that we get in the mindset that we know best. We forget that the next generation might be able to use technology or their creative minds to do things in better or different ways than we know.
As adults, we forget that we will one day rely on the next generation to take our places and even to take care of us. The window of time when we are able to impart our own wisdom, lessons learned, and pass along our perspectives and moral compass to children in our lives is fleeting.
As adults, we forget that Holy Spirit is also within children. They are given spiritual gifts just as adults are, and he alone decides which gift each person should have. Holy Spirit also teaches and guides them, and they are part of the body of Christ.
If you have ever experienced a Holy Spirit-filled follower of Christ, you have likely seen a bold, well-spoken, and joyful person. Regardless of their age, a person who has a relationship with Jesus and is following God’s ways for their life will stand out among others. Whether in a church setting, at the store, going about their job or school, or while spending time with their friends, this type of person shines like a beacon of light in the darkness through their kindness, compassion, gratitude, generosity, respect and love for others.
A church filled with people like this is a chatty church, a happy church, and a connected church. This is the type of Church that Jesus inspired in Acts 4, and the type of Church that we are called to become as a body of believers that are united as one bride for Christ’s return.
A church that is focused on religion over relationship, rules over grace, tradition over creativity, or group think over individuality will not reflect joy, freedom in Christ, or a warm welcome to anyone that doesn’t look, act, or dress like everyone else. A church like this is an institution that threatens to institutionalize us when we fail to invest our time and energy into seeking a relationship with God on our own.
Speaking as a white woman of 50 years old from the northern United States, I have had some wonderful teachers as well as demeaning and discouraging teachers, both in Sunday School and in public school. Jesus was my friend as a child, but as I grew up, other things and people became more important to me than him. I didn’t want to stand out, so I sat down. I didn’t want to speak up, so I remained silent. I didn’t want to embarrass myself so I held back my praise. I didn’t want to be different, so I sat on my hands. I didn’t want to do the wrong thing, so I did nothing at all. I didn’t want to be vulnerable or imperfect, so I hid my gifts rather than share them.
The next generations are following quickly behind us who are in middle-aged, and they’re taking their places as we have taught them to. I’m at fault just as much as anyone else is, because I would parent and teach them differently now than I did ten, twenty and thirty years ago, but we can’t turn back the hands of time. WE HAVE FAILED OUR CHILDREN, but we can do different beginning today.
An important message to The Church and educators in schools: Children are our future, and our only hope for change. Learning is fun, and something we do for a lifetime. Growth happens when people are encouraged and loved. Joyfulness is a gift from God, don’t stifle joy. Inspire children to do better than we have, don’t compete or hold them back. There are no limits on what Christ can do, don’t put limits on the dreams of others.