Rules For Living
Abby looked up from her Sunday school book. “It seems to me that the Bible is full of rules,” she observed. “Doesn’t God want us to have any fun?” “We can stay within God’s rules and still have lots of fun,” said Dad. He put his newspaper on the sofa and took off his glasses. “It may not always seem like it, but God’s rules actually help you enjoy life.” Abby looked out the window and changed the subject. “It’s a windy day, Dad,” she said. “Can we go out and fly the kite I got for my birthday?” “Sure,” agreed Dad. “Let’s take it out to the park.” Abby ran to get the kite from her closet. Then she and Dad walked down the street to the large, open field connected with the neighborhood park. They saw that many kites already dotted the sky with their bright colors. Dad helped Abby get the kite in the air. Then he put the spool of string entirely into her hands. Abby held it tightly. She laughed as she felt the wind lift and move the kite. “My kite pulls and tugs at the string as if it were alive,” she called to Dad. “I wonder how high it would soar with the wind if you didn’t hold it back,” replied Dad. “Wouldn’t the kite look beautiful?” “Dad!” protested Abby. “You’re not suggesting I let it go, are you? If I did that, my kite might be lost, or it might crash and get torn. I don’t want that to happen. I like my kite!” She held the string even more tightly. Dad smiled. “If you let it go, it would crash,” he said. “I’m not suggesting that. I was just thinking of how pretty it would look - until it crashed, that is.” After flying the kite for a while, they decided it must be time for lunch, so they headed home. “I really do like my kite,” Abby repeated as they walked along. “Good,” said Dad. After a moment, he asked, “Remember what you said this morning about God’s rules?” Abby nodded. “Well, honey, His rules are something like the kite string,” Dad told her. “The string keeps the kite safe, and God gave rules to keep us safe and to allow us to enjoy life in His care. When you feel like you’d rather be free of His rules, remind yourself of what would happen to your kite without the string.” “Whoa! I’ll do my best to follow His rules,” decided Abby. “I’d hate to crash!”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you’d have more fun if you didn’t have to follow rules? Or do you realize that following God’s rules keeps you from “crashing”? Disobeying and getting into trouble is not fun for anybody. Obeying God’s rules may seem hard at times, but overall, it’s worth it! Obeying actually protects you and allows you to have fun as you enjoy God’s loving care.
TODAY’S KEY VERSE:
”Keep His (God’s) statutes and His commandments . . . that it may go well with you.” Deuteronomy 4:40