I had a great Mother’s Day weekend and hope you did too. When I think about the sacrifices and love my mom has demonstrated throughout my life, it’s easy to honor and celebrate her. She has done so much for me and I could never repay her, but she is very deserving of my appreciation and respect. 

I’m encouraged by this well-known and powerful scripture found in Ephesians 6:1-3 (ESV), “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.”

As many sons and daughters were recognizing their mothers on Sunday, the New York Yankees organization and their fans honored Derek Jeter for his illustrious 20-year career, while retiring his #2 jersey.

It’s a joy for Yankees fans to stand and cheer for “Captain” Jeter because of all the great memories he provided them, as well as, his strong commitment to the franchise for so many years. He did a lot for the city and Major League Baseball, and was a great representative of both.

With all the honoring taking place for our moms and Jeter, I decided to look up the definition of “honor.” According to the dictionary, it means to “regard with great respect.” The synonyms for honor include esteem, admire, defer to, appreciate, value, cherish, adore, revere, praise, exalt, and worship.

When I hear those words, I think how easily we honor athletes and our mothers, but sometimes hesitate to show God the highest and most passionate honor that He deserves.

When we really think about what He’s done for us and contemplate who He is, our hearts should be filled with deep appreciation and adoration. Our lives should pour out praise and worship, and reverence to the One who saved us and showed His great love for us.

1 Timothy 1:17 (NLT) says, “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; He alone is God. Amen.”

I don’t think we have to stop honoring the people we love and respect, but let’s not hold back our ultimate honor for the one and only God of the universe. He’s the one we defer to, esteem, and exalt above all else because He’s worthy of all our praise. I’m Bryce Johnson and you canunpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m thankful for the important people in my life and I desire to honor them well. I pray, too, that my strongest praise and worship will be directed toward You. You are deserving of my full adoration and I pray I don’t hold back. You are worthy of my appreciation and adoration. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.