God's Coaching #159

God's Coaching #159

Fans love to honor their favorite athletes. Regardless of the sport, we honor—or show respect to—the best performers in countless ways. We cheer wildly for them when they make a game-changing play. We hang their posters on our walls or buy the same kind of shoes that they wear. We thank them for their efforts with standing ovations and curtain calls.

Media professionals do the same thing. They bestow honors like “Player of the Game,” “Player of the Week,” “Player of the Month,” and “Player of the Year.” Athletes get voted into all-star games. Books and magazine articles are written about them. We collect their jerseys, trading cards, and bobblehead dolls.

For certain achievements, some athletes receive luxury cars or large bonus checks. League champions are often met at the airport by crowds of screaming fans and given ticker-tape parades through downtown city streets. Of course, the greatest athletes of all time are honored by being inducted into their sports’ Hall of Fame.

What’s the Score?

It’s natural to honor our favorite athletes. But according to the Bible, the greatest honor should be given to one set of people: your parents. Scripture is filled with commands to honor, love, and obey your parents. God places such a priority on children honoring their parents that he made it one of the Ten Commandments. In Deuteronomy 5, he promised a long life to Israelite children who honored their parents.

The author of Proverbs reminded his son many times to “pay attention to what I say.” Jesus mentioned the fifth commandment numerous times, and the apostle Paul commanded children to “always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20). Is honoring your parents always easy? No, of course not. But it’s not optional. It’s a command of the Lord God Almighty. Other than God himself, there is no one you should honor, love, and obey more than your parents.

On the Ball

Memorize Colossians 3:20, recite it to your parents, and ask them how you can best fulfill this biblical command. Watch their jaws drop as you do it!

Coach’s Comment

Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20