Rebel

To the rebellious student (and your parents) who won’t keep your shirt tucked in or shoes tied:

Discipline, decorum, and neatness are blessings, but even more than that, obedience and submission to authority are blessings.  Why does it matter?  When we obey authority, we set in motion a habit of a heart willing to follow the greatest authority.  It’s a bent… a posture…, and one of the greatest virtues, "humility," is woven into it.  When we obey authority, we will know how to be a good authority because we see the blessing of being led correctly.  Rebellious children think they know better than adults because they aren’t immediately punished.  Rebellious children don’t grow up and teach the wisdom of obedience to their kids or anyone under their authority.  They tend to grow up and lead their families by fear and oppression. 

The boy who tucks in his shirt will likely grow up to be the man who has self-control, doesn’t think more highly of himself than he ought, and has a neat appearance.  (Neatness counts… as a former teacher and letter of recommendation writer for students who are now nurses, doctors, social workers, priests, sisters, psychologists, engineers, even a nuclear scientist… you better believe it mattered who came on time, who wore clothes professionally and conducted themselves well, and who followed the rules… rules designed to accomplish the end and goals that have to do with serving the common good, and not ourselves.)  

This is a posture developed in an obedient heart.  The obedient heart cares about the ends and goals of the Kingdom of God rather than whether they’ll get in trouble.  The rebellious heart thinks people are dumb because they can’t enforce the silly rules of tied shoes and a tucked shirt.  Granted, there are bad authorities.  There is room for discernment about bad authorities.  I’ve heard it argued that “you’re just mindless cogs obeying a machine,” but I don’t think this way.  I’ve followed good and bad leaders, and I know the difference because I was led in their ways and experienced their fruit.  I learned what a good leader is, and I know its fruit and WHY it’s important.  I’ve learned about how precious it is to the Lord when I obey Him.  So, I feel sorry for the young person who would dare call anyone an idiot for caring about silly rules.  You have missed the point, and when you stand in a position of authority one day, will you understand that it’s to serve those you lead for their benefit, good, and blessing, or will you be satisfied that you have authority and power to make someone follow your rules?