Rule-Maker, Breaker, or Follower?

“When you have your own house, you can make the rules.”

Yeah, right. Maybe some household rules, but in general, becoming an adult doesn’t allow you to make up and live by your own rules. There are rules for driving, paying taxes, and shopping. Rules at work, in the gym, and online. When waiting for the security checkpoint at an airport, I saw this sign:

Thank you for cooperating with TSA rules. You help us keep you safe.

First, this sign was posted before the security checkpoint, so how do they know I’m going to cooperate?

Second, is there really a choice? If I want to fly, I’ll cooperate!

(Before you draft that angry letter asking me why I’m bashing TSA, let me assure you I’ve experienced no problems with the TSA and appreciate the guidelines they have in place to keep us all safe. My point has nothing to do specifically with TSA. The point is…we have many choices of whether or not to follow rules, but if we want to do certain things, we have to follow the rules. That’s a fact.)

You can’t make your own rules – with the exception of a few household rules. If everyone made their own rules and tried to enforce them on others, we’d be paralyzed by the conflicting rules. If I made my own rules and only expected myself to adhere to them, I’d be inefficient as I tried to live by my own rules among everyone else doing the same. It’s like saying “There are no absolutes.” The very declaration of there being no absolutes is an absolute statement!

We fight rules because we assume they infringe on our personal rights. Individualism blinds us. In reality, rules give us the freedom to be individuals. Boundaries are established so we know what’s expected. Within those boundaries lies freedom. People who make rules will mess up sometimes, because we get confused about the reason behind rules. We don’t have the perspective God has. Check in with his rules. He’s done a great job of establishing the best boundaries for you!

What’s one rule you struggle to keep?

Are you a better rule-maker, rule-breaker, or rule-follower? Why? How do you think it impacts your daily living?

Put a ruler in your purse or other prominent location as a challenge for you to be aware of the rules you’re following (and breaking and ignoring). Commit to measuring everything you do against God’s rules.

The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

 

Susan’s passion is pouring into women through writing, speaking, and training, inspiring women to seek God’s purpose and grow in purposeful, healthy ways. Get encouraged at http://purepurposebook.wordpress.com/.  Susan’s second Bible study, Pure Emotion, releases in June.

Susan Lawrence

Susan Lawrence is passionate about pouring into women and loves to equip and encourage them – as individuals and teams – through writing, speaking, and training. She’s in her sweet spot when she’s inspiring women to seek God’s purpose for their lives, growing in purposeful and healthy ways. As a Women’s Ministry Consultant, Susan equips women in leadership to meet the needs of other women while balancing their own needs. She's written three Bible studies: Pure Purpose, Pure Emotion and Pure Growth, as well as Farm Days, a collection of memories from her childhood growing up on the family farm in central Illinois. (Studies are available through Amazon, BN.com, and www.PurePurpose.org.) In addition to being involved in local women’s ministry for many years, she’s developed and edited resources and coordinated trainings and networking for international ministries and denominations. Susan also works with individuals to assess writing goals and edits books and resources in preparation to meet those goals. Susan lives with in central Illinois with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters in college. Susan loves dark chocolate and long walks, especially when her toes are in sand! You can follow Susan on her blog, Facebook, and Twitter. One of Susan’s favorite verses is Hebrews 10:24: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. She loves that God gives her opportunities to live out his will in her life every day!"

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