Bravo for the Boundaries
Mar.17,2013
getmorestrength.org
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the
wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers." Psalm 1:1
In case you haven’t noticed, we live in a no-holds-barred,
do-your-own-thing world. We have been force-fed on the thought that we
exist to experience pleasure, that the pursuit of happiness and personal
fulfillment should not be restrained. Especially by Bible-thumping
religious folk who want to control and oppress the world by calling
people sinful every time they try to have fun.
But I keep asking myself: If life in the unrestrained pleasure-lane
is all it’s cracked up to be, why aren’t we happier? How distorted is it
that we call binge-drinking pleasure and sex on demand fulfilling? What
are we saying about ourselves when life as we want it to be is so empty
that we have to escape reality by drugging ourselves? Peter Kreeft was
on to something when he observed, “If we were not so bored and empty, we
would not have to stimulate ourselves with increasing dosages of sex
and violence—or just constant busyness. Here we are in the most
fantastic fun and games factory ever invented—modern technological
society—and we are bored, like a spoiled rich kid in a mansion
surrounded by a thousand expensive toys.”
Could it be that we’ve missed something?
The psalmist wrote, “[Happy] is the man who . . . delight[s] in the
law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a
tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and
whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3 NIV).
As strange as it may sound, true happiness is not rooted in life
beyond the boundaries but rather in the sweet confines of God’s wisdom.
Contrary to popular opinion, God’s ways are anything but oppressive
edicts to make sure that we never enjoy life. The reality is that His
laws are the key to deep and authentic happiness. Life is far more
enjoyable when we don’t lie to each other; when we don’t sleep with each
other’s spouses; when we don’t steal; when we don’t covet; when life is
not always about us but about the needs and interests of others; when
we give; and when we forgive!
We should have had a clue about this from the beginning. Satan used
the notion that God was oppressive in his very first assault on our
ancient ancestors, Adam and Eve. Though they were enjoying life at its
best with God in Eden, Satan offered them a better plan—the good life on
their own terms! They bought the lie, and he slithered away leaving
them alone in their shame and regret.
Sign me up for the slow learner club!
Because God loves us and wants us to live a life that is blessed, He told us how we could get there. Bravo for His boundaries!
YOUR JOURNEY…
- Read Psalm 119:97-104. What are the personal benefits of following God’s “law”?
- What misconceptions do nonbelievers have regarding God’s law? Do you share some of these misconceptions?
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