Exodus 20-21, Psalm 35, Mark 14
Exodus 20-21 thoughts…
I love rules! No, really I do! They give us our boundary markers, and just like all the child rearing books say (well, the one’s I’ve ready anyway) they make me comfortable. I know how far I can go and what I can do, and if I go beyond that, I know my consequences clearly. I’ve always been a “good girl” because I’ve always been afraid to get or be in trouble, so I’ve always been a fan of rules. My parents growing up didn’t have many rules for me, so at times I imposed my own rules on myself, although I will say, I always did a better job of following my parents’ rules. Like I said, they didn’t have many, so as a teenages and as my dad used to say, “Just use your common sense. Talk to us and keep us informed of where and what you are doing, and come in at a reasonable hour. If you are in trouble, call us and we’ll come help you. Don’t lie or steal from us. Just ask, and we’ll do our best.” I loved my parents’ rules. They provided a boundary for me, and they let me know what things I was in charge of in my own life. However, I know that some of my friends didn’t have any rules, and they always got into so much trouble from every authority figure out there. They had no boundaries given to them, so when in any situation, they always went too far because they didn’t know where or when to stop. They became careless instead of cautious. They were selfish instead of compassionate. They were reckless instead of aware. I felt sorry for them, but it wasn’t until later that I figured out why. I appreciate my parents for being aware of my needs as their child, and allowing me the freedom to grow up and experience my own independence and trust that they did a good enough job that I wouldn’t get myself into too much trouble!
God is wonderful like that. In the 10 commandments he lets us know what we can and can’t get away with. He lays the common sense rules down for us to keep us safe and those around us. He even lays out rules of how we should show our love for him. Don’t worship false things, or create things in a manner that is self exalting. I hadn’t ever known that about making an alter, but don’t make any steps or to create an alter where it has been worked on with tools. The Lord requires all of us, simply, not complicated. We are to come to him as we are, and let him do the work in us instead of us trying to help him out. I know I always try to complicate matters, but when I remember that His requests are to love him and follow His examples, He will take care of us. How comforting is that? He gives is all to us, the rules, the examples, His love… what more could we ask for?
Lord I LOVE you, and I thank you for loving me so much that you would give me rules as a father should. Please help me to remember that you love me freely even when I mess up, and you are sure to forgive me when I ask. You are an amazing God, and you have got it all figured out. Help me not to help you out in your plans for my life! You are MORE than enough for me, and I thank you so much! Amen
