Honyaks are not desperadoes, anarchists, malcontents, activists, agitators, or for that matter subversive revolutionaries. Sure many are natural contrarians, people who do not go with the flow, but they are not motivated by cynicism when it comes to the need for having authorities in their life. They know that having contempt and malice for those who are put in charge, like a toxic acid, will corrode the fabric of family and society.
This is so important to understand, especially when it comes to the Honyak's love for their fathers. They do not see them as repressive tyrants, but as experienced soldiers and experts in this thing called life. So when they give you advice, when they critique your work, or when they say "no", you know it is probably for your good! I can remember three specific times when my dad told me to "grow up"; and each time he did, it hurt! Sure, I was a little upset, but I knew his razor-sharp counsel made me a better person. As I look back on those times, I am so grateful my dad did not allow me to wallow in my childish adolescence; he had the kind of love that wasn't afraid to wound you. It seems like any verbal wound that is given these days by parents, teachers, coaches and pastors is no longer viewed as "loving constructive criticism" but as "emotionally scarring cruelty." How dare we offend our precious children, how dare we have standards in society and punish those who ignore or rebel against them? How dare we get mad at looters for breakin' windows and stealing Doritos? How dare we ask people to follow the rules of the land, or respect the constitution: whether it be of our country or our church? Who do parents, police and pastors think they are? How dare they think they can tell anyone what to do? As Miley Cyrus says, "It's our party we can do what we want It's our party we can say what we want It's our party we can love who we want We can kiss who we want We can sing what we want" You go girl! Yeah...right??? I can remember a time when my dad made me serve a weekend in jail for doing something idiotic. I won't give you the specifics because I am a pastor, and people will talk (wink-wink). At the time, I wanted my dad to bail me out and come quickly to my rescue; but no-o-o-o, he made me suffer. Or did he? Was this societal infraction his fault or mine? Were the police purposely looking to arrest and punish a cocky white college kid; or were they just doing their job? Honyaks know that any system of government, whether it be in a home, a town or a nation, will only work if proper chains of authority are respected and honored. The minute we demand the right to "do what we want, and say what we want, and even love who we want," everything collapses. Somehow, a large swath of Americans have forgotten that. They see evil lurking under every form of authority. They see "systemic institutional bias" under every law and decision - - even if the majority of the populace votes on the laws to be put in place. They believe history is a bunch of hogwash written by the overlords who want to rule, dominate and keep the power (hegemony) firmly in their grasp. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Churchill, Luther, Calvin, Margaret Thatcher and most dads, high school principles and mayors are nothing but power hungry sharks. They are (as Jack Black says on 'School of Rock') the "man" who needs to be ripped off their throne. Here is the problem with having malice toward authority: The poison always rises to the top. And do you know who is on the top? God himself! If you can't trust dad, you can't trust God. So when you read in the bible that God says something is sin, our natural contempt for authority causes us to ignore his word. We laugh at his "Thou Shalt Nots" and mock his opinion concerning abominations. In fact, because God is invisible we think we can craft him into a "god" that will let us "do what we want, and say what we want, and love who we want." For those of you who have crafted your own idol, beware! As Psalm 11 says: The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For me, this verse is rather scary. You may be saying that this paints God as mean, cruel and sadistic. But you forget: HE SENT HIS SON TO DIE FOR YOU! Sounds more like a giving Father than power hungry tyrant! He is good...and from his goodness he sends us on earth magistrates and mayors, police and parents, and even dads. Some of you may have been dealt a bad hand when it comes to the authorities in your life; and if that is the case you need to appeal to God as your Father, he will deal with them! Read Psalm 10, it is before 11, and it is intended to get you to trust his heart. But he loves you, he really does.
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8/29/2023 04:06:39 am
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