2022_11_30 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- Ephesians 5 & 6
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3. Whenever I read these first verses in Ephesians, it brings back a very specific memory for me.
When I was a very new follower, I read this, and it really caught my attention. I was 19 and no longer under my parent’s authority as I was when I was younger and lived at home. So, while the first part of the passage didn’t apply to me, the second part has no time limit, “honor your father and mother.” As I thought about this, I realized that honoring or respecting my parents (or really any authority) was not my pattern at all. Now, as a follower of Jesus, I was given a clear command that was to be part of my new life. The day I realized this, I was in the midst of getting a motorcycle – a Triumph 650 Trophy Sport! I was really excited about it. Then this passage came to mind, and the Holy Spirit clearly caused me to think about my parents, especially my mom. Out of obedience, I decided to ask her if she would be ok with me having a motorcycle. It was a tough decision, but I knew asking her was the right thing to do. Mom made it clear that she did not want me to have one… ever. She had good reason to be concerned since I had totaled two cars earlier. [This happened before I accepted Christ and had been driving under the influence both times.] Rather than plead my case, I was certain that God wanted me to honor my mom, so I put the idea of my Triumph to rest.
Although I would still love to have one, I’ve never had a motorcycle. My mom is still alive, and I have resisted the urge out of respect for her. Because of the way my relationship played out with my parents, I believe that choice years ago has proven the promise that “things will go well with you.” There is often a cost in obeying God, but there is always a great benefit too!
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor