One Thing about....rules

I have a love/hate relationship with rules.  On the one hand, rules give me a framework, letting me know what I can and can't do.  Even as a child I was good at following the rules and somewhat obnoxious when others didn't (just ask my siblings.)

 Then there are the rules that I feel are unjust or silly.  As an example, there are two sets of automatic doors placed side-by-side at the entrance to our local Wal-Mart.  One set has a sign that says "enter," and the other says "do not enter."  Being the rebel that I am, I almost always choose to go through the ones that I am clearly not supposed to.

It has taken some time and prayer to understand that my life with Jesus is not supposed to be about following rules.  I always said the book of James was my favorite because it outlined so clearly what I was and was not supposed to do in my life as a Christian.  But over time I have discovered that I want to be a Romans Christian--that is, have an understanding of the amazing grace that has been given to me by my Savior and rest in it, rather than always trying to be good enough to be accepted.

I am continuing to work through my life with Jesus, lived in grace but exemplified by works which glorify Him.  I am trying not to reduce my walk to a set of standards I need to meet.

In my daily life, however, I find it helpful to have a set of rules, standards, guiding principles to give me structure and purpose.  To that end, I have put together my own "Rules for Living" that I am trying to base my life on.  Here they are:

1) Strive to glorify Jesus in all you say and do.

2) Spend as little as possible.  

3) Get a little exercise every day.

4) Eat whole, natural foods.

5) Reduce use of technology.

6) Reduce your possessions.

7) Make relationships your top priority.

Over the next few posts I'll be fleshing out what each of these means for me, how I hope to implement them in my life, and what I think the implications are for my family.

Lord Jesus, help me to live fully in your grace, and to do good works as a result.  Amen.

One Thing

Remember that movie, City Slickers?  The pivotal point in the story came when the crusty old cowboy held up one finger and said, "There's only one thing that's really important."  When the disillusioned city boy excitedly asked what that one thing was, the old cowboy merely said, "That's what you have to figure out."

I admit I'm still figuring it out.  Day by day, sometimes minute by minute, I have to decide what's important, what my focus should be, what I should be concentrating on.  There are so many things that compete for my attention, many of them good things; but if I haven't decided what's truly important I will be pulled in every direction, unable to choose what things should command my time and focus.

Obviously, as a Jesus-follower, glorifying Him should be my One Thing, the over-riding principle that guides me.  But in every area of my life there is a One Thing, an important concept, a way of doing things that can greatly simplify my life.

Living simply is a very attractive concept to me.  It encompasses not just my possessions, but my commitments, my time, my relationships, and my priorities.  In each part of my life, I want to simplify down to the One Thing that's most important.

I know I can't be the only person who wants to start fresh in 2015, who wants to minimize stress by deciding what's crucial.  "See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19, NIV).  Oh, how I look forward to those refreshing streams as He does a new work in me!

Lord Jesus, show me the things that are most important.  Help me to focus my energy on what glorifies you.
Amen.