The Rule Book

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalms 1:1,2

Strike 3! Out! The umpire clasped his fist so all could see the little fellow was indeed out. Mom’s shoulders slumped for the third time this game. Dad pressed his face to the backstop. “He’s just a kid. Give him a chance.” The coach helped the child back to the dug-out. The child had no idea why his turn was up. He had no idea why Dad was yelling and coming inside the dug-out. Dad grabbed the boy and his equipment and stomped out on his way to the car.

We all feel sorry for the child and his parents but if the ump made exceptions for him why not all the kids? Rules are there for the good of everyone. Teachers have rules and parents have rules. Policemen have rules. Like I said, rules are for the good of everyone.

God has rules too. God’s rules help us live happier, healthier lives. Most of the time we don’t have trouble obeying the teacher or the policeman and most of the time we obey our parents but what about God’s rules? What are God’s rules? God’s rules are all about love. The first is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second is to love your neighbor like you love yourself. Jesus said all other commandments hang on or are dependent on these two. It would seem that loving God and loving others would be easy but what about when we are tired or angry? Do we take it out on others who have no clue what is wrong? Do we put others first or do we put ourselves first. I hate to admit, I want to do what is best for me more often than doing what is best for others. Serving others and doing what is best for our neighbors will give us the most joy. Pouting won’t make anyone happy, least of all ourselves. One of the 10 commandments says “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain….” Simply put don’t say you are a Christian and then act like the rest of the world. If we follow God’s rules of love, others will notice. They will see Jesus in us. When our actions are part of the process of leading others to Christ we will be truly happy.