Three ideas swirled through my head on my run today. Following rules, an interview I was listening to, and narrative therapy-
I'm a rule follower--most rules are not made arbitrarily and even if I don't know why they exist, I assume there's a good reason. I've seen the mess that can happen when exceptions are made, and I get very annoyed with people who believe they are always an exception. So I follow rules.
The podcast I was listening to was BBC All Things Considered with an interview with Tony Campolo. He said (and I'm paraphrasing) Jesus doesn't ask us to take on all the problems of the world ourselves. He asks us to do what we can right here and right now. Got me thinking--I'm think a lot about what my ministry will be when I'm through seminary. How can I make the biggest difference? What are my gifts? All questions that are important certainly. But in thinking about the "big picture", I wonder how many snap shots I'm missing right now. Today what would God have me do? Sit with my child who is hurting from teenage drama and just be there regardless of the big project that needs to be finished? I think that's what Jesus would do. (Aside thought that just entered my head--Jesus would take a B over an A if it meant he could be present for someone.)
And narrative therapy. I'm learning about this right now and wondering how it works in practice. Yes we all come from our own social construct, but aren't there some universal? Isn't there some rules to issues of respect and discipline? Does listening to someone's story change the universal rules? Isn't there a right and wrong in some things?
How do these fit together? When we're so busy following rules without listening to people's stories, we can't be Jesus in the present. Sometimes rules were meant to be bent and possibly even broken; not randomly but because of stories. A different perspective.
1 comment:
You know, the interesting thing is that topic came up a lot in early Christianity. The Jews (who also became so very many of the early Christians) were serious "TO THE LETTER" rule followers. They had to be because God demanded it. Don't follow the rules - you are struck down. THEN, Christ came, became the ultimate sacrifice and the OT rules were gently placed aside....the NT rules said (as Christ told the disciples) 1) Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind and 2) Love your neighbor as yourself. The 2 greatest commandments ever...
So...you have me thinking, I am a bonafide rule follower too because I'm afraid to "get into trouble" but the truth is - you are right. They are not meant to be rigid and constraining, they are meant to lighten our load and give us clarity. "My yoke is easy and My burden is light." I think that many rules choke us - but if we keep our eyes on Christ and the example He gave us...the answers are clear and the yoke of earthly rules is lifted.
Your purpose for HIS glory will become clearer and clearer. You always have my love and support!
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