Are You Sure These Rules Really Apply to Me?
I don’t purposely think about breaking rules, but one day I was driving on a lonely two-lane stretch across the middle of the state of Florida. It had been a tough week and I was more than tired. Stuck behind a semi tractor-trailer traveling at a snail’s pace, my patience was wearing thin. It felt like I would never get home.
Finally, a passing lane was in sight. I made my move.
Pressing down hard on the accelerator I picked up speed and began passing the obstacle that was between me and my bed.
And that’s when I saw him. I hoped he didn’t see me, but the flashing lights in my rear-view mirror shattered all hope.
While I think everyone needs an up close and personal encounter with a Polk County Sheriff at some point in their life, I didn’t want today to be my day.
Attempting to set the tone of this little adventure, I mustered up my best I love police officers greeting.
“Hello, Officer, how are you?”
“Driver’s license and registration,” came his curt reply.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, playing dumb.
“You were speeding.”
“I was?” More dumb-play.
“Yes ma’am,” he said.
When did my age creep into the ma’am category?
“Do you know the speed limit here?” he asked.
With a smile, I responded, “I believe it’s 65.”
“It’s 50. You were doing 75,” he retorted.
“Oh. I know I sped up…a little, but I was trying to pass that semi. I think it’s dangerous to travel behind a semi on a two-lane highway. You know, limited visibility and all. And, this is a passing lane. Aren’t you supposed to speed up in the passing lane?”
Not buying my any of my rhetoric, he replied, “Wait here, ma’am.”
Would you please stop with the name calling? I am not old enough to be a “ma’am”!
As I sat there waiting, knowing the inevitable outcome, I began to get mad. Why didn’t he understand my story? It was reasonable. Why didn’t he bend the rules for me?
But the better question was, why did I think this rule didn’t apply to me?
I am nothing if I’m not a rule following girl. But, that day I learned perhaps I’m only a rule following girl when I agree with the rule.
I guess we can all fall into that trap. Not the Polk County Sherriff’s speed trap, but the trap of believing some rules don’t apply to us. That trap gives us license to talk ourselves out of compliance.
We adjust rules we don’t like so they better fit our desires and needs. We twist them into a distorted version of the original; bending them until they’re tailor-made just for us.
We can do this with God, too. Sometimes we bend and twist God’s word so it’s more aligned with our desires.
We can water it down, add to it, and subtract from it until we get just the right recipe of words to create a palatable “rule” that is sure to satisfy our taste du jour.
Thankfully, God gives us only two rules. Just two! And they are perfect for us.
(1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (2) And, love your neighbor as yourself. Mark12:30-31
Those two rules are fundamental to our purpose. They are designed to enable us to be Jesus followers. To keep us in His will so we can successfully carry out everything He will ask us to do.
Indeed, every assignment He will ever ask of us hinges on these two rules.
His will is perfect; ours is flawed. And spinning God’s word takes us out of His will.
When we allow our will to rule over His, we can miss divine assignments and blessings reserved just for us. We can miss parts of His majestic plan. We can miss some of the best He has in store for us.
When I look back at the times I’ve fallen short of loving God fully and loving others as myself, it’s usually because it wasn’t convenient for me at the time. But,
Obedience is defined as “dutiful or submissive compliance”. It’s a maturity thing. It takes being intentional and disciplined. It’s comforting to know that even Paul struggled with this as well (Romans 7:15-16); so we are in good company!
We all struggle at times with denying ourselves to be obedient to God’s will. Following God’s commands and assignments, even when we don’t understand or agree with them, is a sign of spiritual maturity.
I want to be compliant with what God calls me to do. And that means doing things I sometimes don’t want to do. And not doing things I do want to do.
That speeding ticket cost me something that day. It cost me money and it cost me precious time. Certainly, it wasn’t what God wanted for me that day. But how crazy is it that He used it to grow me up just a little bit more!
Oh yes, these are the disciplines that make us disciples.
Ponder
What are “rules” you hesitant to follow? What disciplines are your big struggles? Have you overcome struggles with obedience? Please share your journey in the comments. We need your encouragement today.
Practice
A Truth: “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” 2 John 1:6
A Song: Trust and Obey by Hillsong Kids (Click here to listen)
A Read: The Heart of Love: Obeying God’s Two Great Commandments by Ted Rivera
A Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding us that obedience, while not easy, is what’s best for us. You are infinitely greater and smarter than us. You have the best in store for us. Help us not miss your plan for our life because of disobedience. Grow this discipline in us. Give us the strength to fully follow and fully obey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Here’s where I’m sharing my post.
Ouch! I SO need these reminders! I too am a rule follower until it’s inconvenient or there are extenuating circumstances, and then I start thinking the rules should bend for me. So thankful that God gives us only those two crucial rules! Thanks for sharing!
Me too, Nicole. And so glad for His grace when I fall short in this arena. Thanks so much for stopping by!!
This is very lovely. Just today I told a white lie to a very persistent telemarker who refused to accept “no” as an answer. After I hung up, I tried to shrug it off as innocent, but I felt guilty for my untruth and needed to repent of it. This lovely post is a timely reminder that obedience isn’t just about when it’s convenient for me!
So true, Katrina. Sometimes I can dismiss rules that I don’t agree with or seem small and insignificant. Thanks for stopping by!
I love this Pam because I am a rule breaker, particularly if I think the rule is stupid. You made some valid points (which hurt a little) A good kind of hurt..
I hear you, friend! As much as I’d like to say I’m a rule-following girl, I’ve learned I pick and choose sometimes. It’s a journey. Thanks for stopping by. 💟
What a clear reminder that we can’t pick and choose those things we will obey. If it is in God’s Word, we are to obey – regardless of emotions or circumstances. I found myself so easily giving into my emotions this week, that it was a needed reminder. I love reading your posts.
Hi Barbara. So glad you were encouraged. I know it can be easy to slip out of obedience. So grateful He never responds with anything but grace!
It’s all too easy for us to pick and choose what we feel matters in our obedience, instead of being yielded and obedient in all things, whether or not we think they matter or pertain to us.
Amen. Not always easy, but always right!
That’s so true! We must live in obedience to God in all areas of our lives. We can’t just pick and choose what we want to believe from His Word. It’s a complete package. Thanks for sharing!
And, His package is oh, so good!
Hi Pam, I’m visiting from Reflect weekly link-up. So glad I did! Ouch! Such a true post. I love the title, “Being obedient even when we think the rules don’t apply”. Obedience is truly a path to peace no matter how we feel about it right?! Great post.
God bless
Tracy
Thank you, Tracy! Obedience can be tough, but always worth it in the end. Thanks for stopping by!
OH this is a tough lesson to learn. Thinking that certain rules don’t apply to me. Good thoughts here.
coming from fmf#63
Visiting from FMF … and glad I did. Very nice perspective.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Joe!
Great post, Pam. . I think we become sucked in at times when we find ourselves bending, but not breaking the rules. . That gray area that we afford ourselves when convenient. Takes me back to the 10 commandments and reading them as though they are “suggestions” or “think abouts” rather than what God is truly expecting from us. What’s interesting is when we allow ourselves to look at rules in a positive light. .”You may go 55 MPH”. . “You may pass in a safe passing zone”. In the same way, God gives us permission to live our lives under the umbrella of “may do this” rather “than thou shalt not.” . Live our lives in the accordance of what God’s will is affording us to do. .
Hi Craig. I like the way you flip around the negative for the positive. Great insight!
my first time here, pam and it’s a worthwhile visit! so many times I’ve deserved a ticket esp with parkingand I’ve received mercy (not so recently…) – i loved your point that when i bend the rules or downright ignore them, i miss out on God’s leading or encounter as well as not trusting that He knows best. Alsojust posted about those two bottom line commandments.
are you going to SheSpeaks? would love to meet up – i know no one but it should be grand.
Hi Sue, thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately, I am not going to SS this year. I’m sure you will have a great time and meet lots of great women. Wish I could be there!
Great Post, Pam! I think you are so right. We often time twist, bend ,and contrive new rules that make us rule followers. But sadly those are our rules and they sometimes don’t align with God or His will fo us. Thank you so much for sharing and I am glad to see you around the blogosphere!
Hi Jaime! So good to hear from you and to be back. I have had some very challenging circumstances come up that derailed my time and focus. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. xoxo
Pam your message is close to my heart as a parent, wife and follower of Christ! I think we have all been in the very place you describe, but the difference is the lesson learned and the heart change. I would love for you to link up on Fresh Market Friday! Your words are all about intention and passion for Christ!
Hi Crystal. Thanks for stopping by and for the encouraging words. I will definitely check out Fresh Market Friday.
This is so true, and unfortunately something modern Christianity seems to have forgotten.
Isn’t it awesome the things we can learn in our every day life… Like getting a ticket. 😉
Yeah, this one wasn’t fun! Very costly.
Obedience is rarely convenient! How true and difficult to remember at times. Visiting from #livefreethursday 🙂
Yes, and haven’t we evolved into a society that places a premium on convenience! Thanks for stopping by.
Poignant and powerful reminder to be obedient to our Lord Pam. I have one more “P” for you. Pride; it is usually pride that keeps us from humbly obeying God. That is when God’s “discipline” is required because He will have His will accomplished. I prefer to obey and avoid the discipline if possible. Like you said when we mature as Christians we see the benefits in obeying Him. Sorry about your ticket but I love how God reveals things to us in most unexpected situations. Have a wonderful week and may God bless you and yours…Safe travels!
Hey Horace! It’s good to be back. So glad you stopped by. And I couldn’t agree more. I think if we really drill down, we will find the root cause for most all our shortcomings is PRIDE. The heart is deceitful..
The pray particularly hit home for me. I am copying it and adding it to my prayer time. Thanks. #sundaybloghop
So glad you got something out of it, Karen! Thanks for stopping by.
Wow, I wasn’t quite sure what I would find with this post and have been surprised in a good way:) Your writing style is very inviting. Thanks for sharing:)
Mainy x
Thanks for the kind words. So glad you stopped by!
Thanks for this great reminder. Sorry you got a ticket. I hate those things.
Aw, thanks. But…lesson learned!
Really, those two rules in Mark 12 cover everything, don’t they? In fact Jesus said that all the law and the prophets hang on those two commandments. We would do well to make it a point to follow them. Of course no one is perfect and we can’t follow them perfectly, but God can help us and He also forgives when we fail. And that is a wonderful thing! Blessings to you, Pam! I’m your neighbor at #MeCoffeeandJesus!
Yes, He did! And, yes He can! Thanks so much for stopping by, Gayl.