"Limitations"

 

“Limitations”

 

When I worked at a camp some 65 years ago the staff members would attend a nearby church when our work schedules permitted. One Sunday we were in the teens’ Sunday School class and speed limits in high school parking lots came up. One of my colleagues observed that the limit at his school was 15 mph which prompted the locals to complain that theirs was 5 mph. Another visitor then said, “Don’t feel bad. We don’t even have a parking lot!” Sometimes we don’t recognize and appreciate our good fortune.

When driving from home to the church office in Manchester there was an oddly configured and dangerous intersection. Leading up to it there were four signs saying, “No left turn”. Apparently about half the drivers couldn’t read too well because they made the left turn anyway (I witnessed several near collisions). And Interstate 4 runs through Lakeland with a posted speed limit of 70 mph which is rarely observed (guilty as charged). These three examples show how our human natures balk at limitations.

Most laws on government books impose some kind of restrictions which are intended for the public’s good. I have a couple of physical issues which keep me from eating certain foods, most of which I don’t like anyway! But even though we might grudgingly admit they’re for our and others’ good we still don’t like to have our “liberties” curtailed.

Have we ever felt this way about God’s commands? Do we view His directives as impeding enjoyment in our lives? In reality they’re anything but this. The Lord’s friend and apostle tells us, “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3, emphasis added). Since obedience appears to be God’s “Love Language” (see the previous posting by this title) it’s a practice we need to take seriously (“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”—John 14:15). Truth be told, God’s “limitations” provide freedom to serve Him (1 Peter 2:16) and others (Galatians 5:13). Will we/I see them in this way and be thankful?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan