#6 Thoughts from the back deck...

#6 Thoughts from the back deck...

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. (ESV)
When our kids were younger, and we were living in Alaska, they felt the need to complain about "mom's and dad's rules". Michelle listened and said: "Fine, no rules!" The kids were free to do whatever they wanted that cold winter day! No rules! Talk how they want. Eat what they want. Behave how they want. They greeted this new freedom with shouts of joy. Then, they began to test Michelle's resolve. "Can we have cake for breakfast?" There are no rules!
Believe it or not, a day and a half later the kids were begging for rules! "Mom, stop this! We need rules!"
Why the change of heart? They fought...a lot! They learned there were things not good for them or for their relationship with others. They still talk about and laugh about that time today as young adults.
God really knows what is best for us. His law is there because he knows where we will head left unchecked. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to live at peace with each other. He wants us to experience life in a way that is healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
If you wonder if there is any way that true peace (and I would add joy and happiness) can come from embracing the "law," I will offer this observation...
In the last few years, our country has dabbled in ignoring laws and letting people do what they want. In my opinion, I am NOT seeing more peace, more joy, or more happy people. I am seeing more brokenness. More pain. More negativity. More hopelessness.
I go back to the firm belief that God really knows what is best for us. As I look at the troubles of this world, it would be easy to stumble and fall into despair. My prayer for you, as a follower of Jesus, is you don't let yourself stumble into despair. I can't control others, but I can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, control my behavior and how I respond to others. I can also point others to where I find peace. Jesus' words guide us as he was asked what is the greatest commandment. And he answered:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Jesus, help us love and live as you love and live. Great peace is found only in YOU. Amen

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