Not to Do Dumb Stuff

​Pastor Brian led the children in a short message at Agape Church. One of his questions for the kids was if they had any New Year’s Resolutions. Several girls and boys shared before one young boy raised his hand and said his New Year’s Resolution was “Not to do dumb stuff.” That elicited quite a chuckle amongst the adults.
Inspired by the young boy’s answer, I called and asked my West Point classmate, Randy, what the dumbest thing he could think of that he’d ever done. It did not take him long to answer. “I got a car, a California customized van, as a Cadet, before it was authorized. I kept it parked off campus but decided to drive it around school one day before graduation.”  Unfortunately, someone reported him, and he became a Century Man. This meant that on top of the hours he had already walked for other infractions with his rifle across a cement apron, he would surpass 100 hours of marching.

I asked Randy what lesson he learned, and he said, “Rules exist to avoid negative consequences.  The moment of pride I felt driving my car was not worth the three months of agony of missing football games, his girlfriend, and other fun activities while being punished. 
 
Meditation
Luke 15:12,13--The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living.
 
Jesus told His listeners the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The young man did dumb stuff by taking his inheritance and squandering it on foolish living. Only when he regained his senses did he return home and clean up his life. It’s easy to be critical of this young man, but we all do things we regret later. I could easily fill pages with examples of dumb things I did that I wish I had not.
           
So, what protects us from being foolish? For starters, obey God’s rules. Breaking them leads to consequences we could and should have avoided. Wait before acting. Often, we come to our senses by avoiding rashness. Seek advice. Wise counselors help us avoid silly or reckless mistakes. Certainly pray. Isn’t it amazing how wise we become when we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading?

That young boy is headed in the right direction armed with a sound resolution.  Let’s join him and not do dumb stuff.
 
Inspiration
“I would love to tell you that it's been absolutely perfect, that I've been a man that's been super Christian. But I've had mistakes, dumb things I've regretted, so it's not a perfect life. But it's one that has helped me make better decisions.”—A.J. Styles
 
 
©2025 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.     
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)