One of my favorite Christmas gifts was a bicycle. I could not wait to learn to ride it. Dad made it his job to teach me. He told me a few simple rules. Then, he held his hand on the back of the bicycle seat and gave me a push.
The first few times he let go I went a few yards and fell over. It soon became apparent that I needed the lessons he was trying to teach me. I have also learned that these lessons are still important. Rules teach us many things beyond the rules themselves.
First he told me to keep my balance and peddle. If I stopped either one I would fall. Balance and motion go together. We cannot stand still. We were not made that way. We were made with arms and legs and a mouth, ears, and senses. We were made to go places and experience things. Where we go and what we experience are up to us. That is where the balance comes in. We can pedal too hard and lean too far and still fall and hurt ourselves.
Next he told me to go straight. Going straight is not only a part of keeping balance it is also necessary for learning how to control the bike. You cannot learn how to safely turn until you first know how to go straight.
Another important rule is to learn how to use the brakes. Why is that not the first lesson? The purpose of a bike is to go not to sit still. Dad showed me where the brakes were before I got on the bike. But knowing where they are and learning how to use them are two different things. You can only learn how to use the brakes if you are moving.
He also told me to stay on the road. That is important if you want to stay safe. There are dangers off the road that can be avoided if you stay on the road and watch where you are going. There are also hazards on the road such as pot holes, rocks, hills, etc. Learning to control the bike is part of the experience and comes with practice.
Finally, enjoy the ride. If you follow the rules you will get to the place where you can feel the wind in your face and enjoy the whole experience. That is the goal and when you get there you realize that was the reason for the rules all along.
Paul said, “So then, the law was our guardian, (teacher), until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24 ESV) The purpose of the law is to teach us grace. It is just like learning to ride a bike. If you reject the rules you will fall and get hurt. Follow the rules and enjoy the ride.
Robin
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Responsibility
When I was growing up my first job to take out the trash. As I got a little older I was also allowed to take matches and burn the trash. That required more responsibility because I had to stay there and watch it until the flames died down. Later, as I got bigger, the job of mowing the lawn was added to the list.
I was expected to do my job as needed without being asked. In return I was given an allowance, fifty cents at first, of which I gave a dime for my offering every week. When my hobby changed from comic books to model cars my allowance was raised to two dollars, and my offering was raised to a quarter.
If I forgot to do my job, my Dad only had to say, “Go mow the grass,” once and I was walking out the door to get the mower. That is how I learned responsibility. I didn’t do it for the money or because I might be punished if I disobeyed. Those consequences never came up because it never occurred to me that I had a choice. I knew what was expected and I did it.
Jesus began his ministry with the direct command, “Follow me,” (Matthew 4:19) and ended his ministry with another command, “Go.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Everything in between was related to either the first command or the last. The last command is called The Great Commission.
The wording of the Great Commission in Acts tells us not only to go but where to go. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV
The Great Commission is neither optional nor transferrable. In other words, we all need to do our part. This is what is expected of all of us. We cannot have someone do it for us.
When we talk about different jobs in the kingdom I most often hear about jobs like teaching, and prayer support. When Jesus was describing the parts available for us all to do he did not list those things that come to many of our minds. Jesus talked about places, parts of the earth, where we are to go.
We may not all be able to go everywhere but we can all go somewhere. Some of us can go across the street with the love of God. Some of us can go around the world. The Great Commission is our responsibility for all of us to keep. What is your part?
Robin Cowin
I was expected to do my job as needed without being asked. In return I was given an allowance, fifty cents at first, of which I gave a dime for my offering every week. When my hobby changed from comic books to model cars my allowance was raised to two dollars, and my offering was raised to a quarter.
If I forgot to do my job, my Dad only had to say, “Go mow the grass,” once and I was walking out the door to get the mower. That is how I learned responsibility. I didn’t do it for the money or because I might be punished if I disobeyed. Those consequences never came up because it never occurred to me that I had a choice. I knew what was expected and I did it.
Jesus began his ministry with the direct command, “Follow me,” (Matthew 4:19) and ended his ministry with another command, “Go.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Everything in between was related to either the first command or the last. The last command is called The Great Commission.
The wording of the Great Commission in Acts tells us not only to go but where to go. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV
The Great Commission is neither optional nor transferrable. In other words, we all need to do our part. This is what is expected of all of us. We cannot have someone do it for us.
When we talk about different jobs in the kingdom I most often hear about jobs like teaching, and prayer support. When Jesus was describing the parts available for us all to do he did not list those things that come to many of our minds. Jesus talked about places, parts of the earth, where we are to go.
We may not all be able to go everywhere but we can all go somewhere. Some of us can go across the street with the love of God. Some of us can go around the world. The Great Commission is our responsibility for all of us to keep. What is your part?
Robin Cowin
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