Rules Rules Rules

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules

Colossians 2:20

I am one of those people that sometimes looks at things and says "Why?" Unfortunately, my daughter asks the exact same question but isn't quite old enough to get reasoning. Which can make for some very long days. Anyway back to why I started typing this morning.

Last spring, I went outside in my pajamas. And my first thought was not "I'm so thankful that I can come outside and see what Hannah wants me to see." It was "I'm out here in my pajamas, that's not right." And then my second thought was "Says who?!?"

I was kind of surprised to see this verse this morning while I was reading. Because it reminds me to ask "Says who?" There are so many rules and regulations in our lives, some to keep us safe and some that are just weird.

I like the rules about manufacturing of food and wares, they help keep me safe and knowing what I'm purchasing. What I don't like are the rules that bind me to myself. I would much prefer to be bound to God than to my own thoughts and desires. For instance, I have a rule about needing a clean kitchen before baking. It stops me from baking sometimes, because I put so much time and energy into the cleaning of the entire area that I don't have energy left to bake. The smart thing would be to clean just the area that I need, but instead I'm tied to this rule.

The most amazing thing about all these rules that wrap us in their warm safety is that they can suffocate us. They can remove joy from our lives. They can stop us from seeing the really important things. When your rule tells you to do something that causes you to miss out on doing the will of God, it's time ask "Says who?"

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