1 Timothy 4 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Command and teach these things. No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:11-12

A few years ago, I got a phone call from my (then) 12-year-old son, Wyatt. He had just hit the age where he was attending “night” parties. You know the ones. “Day” parties include a birthday cake and clown who bends balloons. “Night” parties consist of pizza, loud music, and all your friends trying to look cool. It’s a rite of passage…

Anyhow, we got this call.

Parent: “Hello?”
Son: “Hey, uh, am I allowed to play the Halo video game?
Parent: “What’s it rated?
Son: “Uh…’M’ for mature…”
Parent: “Are you 18 years old?”
Son: “No.”
Parent: “Then, no. You shouldn’t play it.”
Son: “Uh, can you come pick me up?”
Parent: “Why?”
Son: “Uh, cause everyone’s playing it and I’m alone and bored.”
Parent: “We’ll be there in 10 minutes.”

10 minutes later, my wife and I showed up. We expected to see my son moping by the curb, but all the kids were outside, playing basketball. Wyatt ran up to the car, “I told them I wasn’t allowed to play that game…so they said they would play basketball, instead.”

When I was a kid, I never would have made that phone call! I just would have played the game and never said anything to Mom & Dad. If asked, I would have simply lied. No remorse. That’s just how I figured kids got by. It wasn’t the right attitude to have, but I never considered my parents to be on my side. Parents were the barrier that stood between me, and fun. So, whenever I went to someone else’s house…and their parents let them do stuff mine wouldn’t…I just did what I wanted. The whole scene kinda’ ate at my soul, because I could never be at peace. Deep down, I knew I was a liar.

Let me be the first to say that I am proud of my son. He’s not a saint; he’s a kid, but episodes like I described (above) still happen. I am proud to know we aren’t his enemies. And I’m proud to know he stands up for what is right, and that he doesn’t let other kids control him.

Leadership is not just about age. It’s about being confident, competent, and convicted. I will never tire of telling you, “G_d has great plans for you.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Stay the course, endure and receive what He has prepared for those who live faithfully.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Wednesday, October 30, 2013