I don’t know about you, but I’m not particularly fond of rules. I’m kind of a free spirit and prefer to make my own decisions rather than follow someone else’s rules. Besides – my decisions are always better and more fun – at least, according to me!
One thing’s certain-sure in life – we never stop learning. There’s another thing that is also sure. RULES!! No matter where we go in life, rules are there.
I’m thankful for some of these rules. Gravity seems rather necessary, for instance. But that rule about not being able to add hours to the day —
We abide by many kinds of rules – national, state/providence, school, work, and many others. Then there are God’s rules. Take, for instance, the rule about not stealing (Exodus 20:13). I’m glad for that rule. If everyone followed this rule we wouldn’t have to lock our doors! But to those who find “fun” in shoplifting or stealing from houses, this rule is a kill-joy. It takes “fun” out of life.
Here’s another – the rule about thinking on only the good, true, right, and pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8). If everyone abided by this rule, we could live in safety. But when carried too far, thinking on negative, untrue, and unbiblical things carries people along to doing untold horrors – even in the name of religion. And for some, their idea of “fun” is wrapped up in the negative and untrue, and following this rule would take away their “fun.”
So it comes down to our idea of fun. Where do we get joy in life? Is there joy and even fun in following God’s rules?
Well, obviously, I think so or I wouldn’t be writing about it!
First of all, God created us to ENJOY life! He’s the one who made blueberries and oranges, giraffes and bunnies, puppies and parrots. He made our minds capable of experiencing joy. He created us to laugh and to be happy.
God’s kind of joy and fun will not be found in breaking His rules, but by following them. Ugh. Back to that again? Yep!
We still have to live on this toxic planet, but by following God’s rules we can avoid much of the distress of life. By filling our minds with truth and positive things, we can evade a lot of fear, pain, and sorrow. By avoiding such things as stealing we are also avoiding guilt. All these negative emotions and thoughts keep us in bondage to ourselves, warping our sense of reality, and requiring more and more stimulus before we can feel joy.
But when our minds are free of all the negative “stuff,” it doesn’t take a whole lot to fill us with joy! Now “fun” becomes something we enjoy within the framework of God’s rules, and there is no compounding of negative effects afterward.
In fact, that’s the point. God wants us to have fun and experience joy with NO side effects!
Would love to hear from you. How have you found joy and fun by staying within God’s boundaries?
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Hi Sherry,
Very true on your statement below about following GOD’S rules..
When our minds are free of all the negative “stuff,” it doesn’t take a whole lot to fill us with joy! Now “fun” becomes something we enjoy within the framework of God’s rules, and there is no compounding of negative effects afterward.
As you have mentioned there rules that we have to follow, it just that there are the negative ones and the positive ones.. it all pours down to which one you are heading towards….
I like the point you were making about God wanting us to have fun and experience joy with NO side effects!…..thanks for the post..
Irene Pereira recently posted..Definition of Leadership
Hi Irene,
My favorite part is that God WANTS us to have fun! And it’s good to know that with His fun there are no negative side-effects! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Sherry,
The more we love lives whether they are our own or others, they more meaningful it will be for us to continue living lives to the fullest.
Yep ! Everyone can enjoy life and have fun
God is truly great and beautiful for creating people like us called human beings. It is entirely up to us to choose they path in life and entire up to us to have any kind of thoughts we want.
One thing for sure – Every religions teach us to think positively, doing good, be kind and etc
Again, it is entirely our choice to find the fun for doing all work to help others and ourselves as well as finding the true purpose in our own life.
Sherry, I love your post and it helps me to relate a little of my thoughts on your topic.
Thank you for this meaningful sharing
God Bless
Pearly
PearlyPQ recently posted..Ways to Build a Good Relationship
Hi Pearly,
You are so right that the path we choose, and the thoughts we think, are our choice. We can choose to go the way of fun-with-no-negative-side-effects, or the way of fun-and-pay-for-it-later. We can also choose how we view each path. Thanks for bringing that up!
With all of the rules in place both laws and gods, it does seem like there is to many rules that you have to abide by. You would think he does not want you to have any fun, but they are there for a reason, and overall for the greater good.
Hi Adrian,
What I have the hardest time with are the laws I don’t understand. If it makes sense, it’s not so bad. But that’s where we (I) need to trust God that He knows what’s best and that it will be for our good. Trust!
If we are not having fun then why are we doing it
Peter
Peter Fuller MBA recently posted..How to Attract your Niche to your Blog – Day 3 of 5
Good question, Peter! Since you asked . . . Seems to me that if following God’s rules are not fun, we may be missing the boat somewhere. Or maybe they are not fun while we’re heeding them, but we know that it will work out to our good later, so while they are not “fun,” they will lead to more enjoyment in the end. Hope that came out right!
Pastor Sherry,
First, can I tell you how delighted I am to have a pastor describe herself as free spirit who doesn’t like rules? Yes! There is hope for me yet! And I love your style.
I have certainly experienced peace brought on by obeying God’s rules. I can’t think of a time right now when it created fun but the absence of stress and mayhem is certainly fun-like. If I don’t like then I don’t have to worry about who I told which story to, right? I can just be free to be honest, it takes less energy and people can rely on my word. Is that fun? I’m not sure but I’m certainly going to be on the lookout for fun instances of obeying the rules this week. Take good care, Allegra
Allegra Sinclair recently posted..How You Do One Thing Is the Way You Do Most Things
Oh yes, Allegra — free spirit I am
And there’s hope for all of us!!
Thanks for your insights here. You have a point — maybe it’s not always fun in the keeping of rules, but that they free us up to have fun.
I see God’s rules, and fun, being kind of like driving a car. We have to stay between the lines on either side of the road, or we get into trouble. But as long as we stay between the lines (rules), we are safe to play games like I spy as we travel, or to anticipate what we will see when we reach our destination, or to even have “think” time while we drive. By going outside the lines we give up our safety and security. We may experience a thrill for a few seconds, which some may call “fun,” but unless we pull back into the lines, a crash is inevitable.
On the other hand, if we stay between the lines, we are free to experience fun. Maybe not exactly while keeping the car between the lines, but in the safety zone we are free to have fun without the crash.
And also, by following God’s rules we stay free of the guilt, shame, and pain, which prevent us from being able to experience genuine fun. Does this make sense?
Hello Sherry,
You’re a lady after my own heart in respect of the fact I’m really not fond of rules myself!
)
That said I realize there have to be some otherwise I’m quite sure chaos will prevail in many situations and to this end whether it’s caring for children or ruling counties some boundaries after definitely needed! Thanks for sharing with us all, Sadie
Hi Sadie, I agree! I don’t like the rules, but sure like the safety that comes from following them!
What a refreshing blog post! Yes, we are here to have fun. Following Gods’ rules keeps our hearts and souls loving and open. As for the rules? They are simple: Do unto others. When you do that, and live in that energy, it all comes back to you.
What makes me have fun? EVERYTHING! When you look at things through the perspective of God, a bud on a tree, a smile from a stranger, another day you are well and healthy, etc makes you greatful. Greatfullness makes me happy. As I walk with my best friend (God) there is no fear, no doubt, but fun just being alive.
Thank you so much for this inspirational post.
God Bless,
Donna Merrill
Hi Donna,
Thanks for your insight. Gratitude is a wonderful place to be! And when we look around us we’ll find many things to be grateful for — as you said, the budding trees, smiles, feeling good, what we’re learning, God’s presence with us, etc. I love what you said about following God’s rules keeps our hearts loving and open. Because God is love, His rules direct us in the way of love. Good thought!
Hi Sherry,
Oh, I’m with you on the fun side of life… never been one for rules either but at the same time, I won’t break any rule that is detrimental to myself or anyone else. So negative thoughts and actions are a no no!
I think that the rules laid down in the bible are good ones for sure!
Emma
Emma recently posted..6 reasons why chickens make the perfect pets – yes- really!!
Hi Emma,
Yes! The rules of the Bible definitely steer us in positive directions — even when we don’t see that direction at first. Always a good idea to follow them
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Wasn’t it Douglas Bader who said that “rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men”? I never was quite sure what he meant by that.
I’m not a religious man nowadays although I was brought up that way. the set of rules that I think are excellent though are the ten commandments. i have always tried to live by them and, if more people did, the world would be a better place.
Trevor Barrett recently posted..Help Choosing Clearance Bargains
Hi Trevor! I hadn’t heard the quote from Douglas Bader, but it makes sense. I have taken it that if someone is “foolish,” then one must have rules because he/she wouldn’t have the sense to live that way, and if someone is wise, then the rules are what they would follow anyway but sometimes need a nudge . . . does that sound right?
The 10 Commandments are excellent rules to follow. And you’re right — if everyone lived by them (and their magnification by Jesus in the Gospels), our crime rate would disappear, police would be out of work, and our world would be one that looked completely different than it does now.
Thanks for sharing!
I therefore say that Humans are fond to go beyond the limits. Being insatiable is also a sin. Everything in life I really appreciate and I do not regret every single moment on it. I believe God never turned his back to us and he showers his blessings according to my family’s daily needs, not too much but it’s enough for us to survive. My husband and I were both active as choir in our church, we enjoy following His words and I know we were blessed.
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Hi Danielle,
No, God doesn’t turn His back on us. We are the ones who turn our backs on Him. I’m glad you have no regrets over anything you’ve done in life. That’s a good feeling!