Devotion 4: Fatal Curiosity

Zach Honnen 

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." Ephesians 6:1–3 

Growing up, I'm not gonna lie, I didn't like to just go with the flow. Even now, I still find it to be a challenge. I've always had this need to know the "why" behind everything. Whether you want me to stop or start a project, meet for coffee, or just give you a call, my instinct is always to ask, “Why?” 

I call this my fatal asset. In one sense, curiosity is a strength, but in another, it can make me come across as abrasive, stubborn, or even prideful, especially when trust is what's needed. This fatal asset was not exactly appreciated by my old foreman. His go-to phrase (which matched my parents') still rings in my ears, "Because I said so!" 

Now, there are things in life that don't need a "why." But thankfully, for those of us who suffer from fatal curiosity, God doesn't just say, "Because I said so." He says, "Because I love you."  

So, why must children "obey their parents"? Why must we "honor our father and mother"? Because it is right. James 4:17 says, "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." Because it is best for us. Romans 8:28 reads, "And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." 

When we obey and honor our parents, it leads to what's best for us. Whether we've had good parents or bad ones, showing respect is healing for us. A pattern I've seen in many people is that when a parent is gone, whether they were loving or difficult, there's often regret about how the relationship ended, regret over final words, lost time, or silence. We honor not for their sake alone, but for God's sake and our own. 

Let's close with a story: A man once took in his elderly parents to care for them, but as they aged, they became messy, forgetful, and clumsy. Frustrated, the man began treating them harshly. He would snap at them when they spilled food or made a mess. Eventually, he gave them plastic plates and utensils—cheap, disposable, and childish—so he wouldn't have to worry about broken dishes. One evening, he noticed his young son rummaging through the trash, pulling out the used plastic utensils and plates. Confused, the father asked, "Why are you doing that?" The boy replied, "I'm saving them…so I can use them for you when you're old." The moral of the story is that honor is passed down from generation to generation. Jesus reminds us to treat others the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). 

Take time today to encourage your family to obey and honor. 

For Parents: "Hey kids, let's surprise Grandma and Grandpa with a phone call and let them know how much we love them! Even though adults don't obey the way kids do, we're still called to honor our parents." 

For Kids: "Mom and Dad, I want to finish my chores and homework like you asked because I know that by obeying you, I'm honoring God and becoming a better kid."