Climbing to the top of that dead tree was fun, until I broke my arm. Skipping school seemed like a good choice, until I had to do summer school, evening ed, and online classes just to graduate on time. Driving way too fast wasn’t a problem, until I got a speeding ticket that took a lot of work to pay off. My parents tried to teach me better, but I just didn’t obey. I was often motivated by the thrill of it, impressing a girl, thinking I knew best, or rebellion.  Some of the consequences of my actions were more painful, took longer to heal, and left more scars than others. Thankfully, my parents had patience, and by the grace of God, I’ve been redeemed. But things didn’t need to be that rough, and it certainly wasn’t worth it.

‍

Looking at the bigger picture, today’s Scripture was giving me instruction for an even deeper reason. Now don’t get me wrong, this passage has a lot of real, practical instruction that may protect you from serious harm, but there’s more here. This passage also holds the concepts of authority, sovereignty of God, relational principals, accountability, and more. As you read this Scripture, I’d encourage you to consider what God specifically has for you in it.

‍

This passage isn’t just about your immediate safety or well-being either. You see, as children, we are actually learning how to interact with authority, practice submission, and honor others, even when we don’t quite understand. If you’re living with a “do whatever you please” attitude, don’t think that accountability is going to end when you’re 18. That disobedience, rebellion, and foolishness doesn’t just end when we gain adulthood. Without transformation it tends to show up in even worse ways throughout our lives at work, in marriage, and everywhere else. So, remember that God gave us parents to raise us, to teach us, and to prepare us. His design for that dynamic is a gift.

‍

Sometimes circumstances mean that those whom God intended to steward us aren’t there for us. You need to know that God still is, though, because he will never leave you nor forsake you. If you grew up without that – maybe you had one or both parents that weren’t present – Jesus wants to heal, redeem, and make that whole. He wants to provide a spiritual mother or father figure for you. Some of the most beautiful stories of how God works through those situations are the testimonies of people at our church. They’ve trusted God to take what’s been broken, restore it, and use it for good.  

‍

Parents definitely need help from the Lord. As kids, we can all be a bit challenging at times – I know I sure was. But, just like children, parents too are ultimately accountable to God. He has entrusted them with their children. You’re called to raise them in the ways of the Lord. Now, that may feel like an impossible standard to live up to, but I actually think there is something freeing in verse 4. You see, the expectation isn’t for you to have all the answers. It’s actually to live in submission to the Lord and recognize that everything you need comes from him.  

Whatever your age or stage of life, take a few minutes to ask God how he is calling you to honor someone around you today or apply his wisdom. It might be a simple act of obedience to the one raising you. It might be learning what it looks like to bring your children up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Or maybe, you need to begin a relationship with Jesus so that you can understand you were designed with intentionality and purpose. May God bless your application of his wisdom with an impact that breathes life for generations.