12/21/2022
Your Teenager Is Not an Adult Yet!
*Please note: The following devotion is not intended for just parent/caregivers, but for all adults who are in a position to lead young people properly in society. It is also meant for those young people (teenagers) who think they are old enough to make their own decisions without benefit of the wisdom that the life experience of someone intended to guide them.
Please read the following Biblical passages referenced: Luke 2:41 – 52; Galatians 4:1 - 3
Christ Jesus, at 12 years of age, did not make a child’s mistake when He remained at the temple after His family started the arduous return to their homes in Nazareth, several days journey apart from Jerusalem. Christians are very familiar with this story from the Messiah’s childhood. His parents searched desperately for Him for more than three days before they found Him astonishing the elders in the temple. There is no need to remind you of the importance of His presence engaging those men in examining their own thoughts and faith regarding the Scriptures or Yahweh God Himself. However, a human develops from infant to full adult over a predetermined period of time of about twenty-five years.
Although Christ Jesus was divinely endowed and the Heir to the Kingdom of the Heavenly Father, He was still a developing human child and needed His parents’ guidance and protection. Therefore, His question was not out of disrespect for His parents when He questioned, “Why were you looking for Me? Didn’t you know that I needed to be in My Father’s House?” Just as an appointed time had been determined by Yahweh God for us to receive the gift of His Son, although an heir to His Father’s kingdom, yet still a Child, He was subject to the adults to whom He was entrusted. He returned with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth, being obedient to them as He grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with Yahweh God and humanity.
Following the example set by the parents of Christ Jesus helps us protect children from following their own paths prematurely. The direction they choose for their lives is directly related to the adult caregiver influences in their homes and communities. This is a gift and responsibility that each person becomes endowed with by their own faith. This correlates to the upbringing we received in our own childhood. The choice becomes theirs when they mature into wisdom and adulthood. Until then, you – the parent/caregiver, teacher, or the social leader of their community – are the leader in that child/young adult’s life. While discipline is necessary, they do not need to see your strength as an adult exacted physically. They do need to know and see that you seek guidance of the Heavenly Father in making your own decisions and are subjected to and respectful of His authority over your life.
