When Rules Aren’t Enough

One of my favorite passages from a book I recently read was about how good people get lured into following another man’s senseless, worthless rules. (I’m not sure I absorbed the exact story the author was trying to tell, but that’s okay, especially in keeping with that thought, isn’t it?). I found so many parallels to life in, and specifically, these wild and perilous times.  

In the book they had a seven hundred page book of rules and regulations, to which they expected rigid adherence, or else. I bet we’re not that far off, here in the land of the free, the home of the heavily- regulated, and still constantly yelling at each other to do a better job. How did we get here? It’s been a long process, I’m sure, and like most things, paved with some good intention. New rules and laws and regulations are always being written, and not every rule makes or has common sense. Amidst a highly litigated and legislated society, what are we to do? How do we guide our kids through it too?

Because the irony is, you can’t dictate kindness, but you can teach what it looks like. You can’t legislate a moral compass, but you can encourage others to find theirs, even while you do the same.

If you truly care and are guided by a sense of what is truth and what is right, you don’t need a seven hundred page book to tell you what to do. If, however, we spend more time teaching rules and regulations, yet not enough about the truth behind it, or the truths they should be connected to, it will never be enough. Rules alone are never enough.

The best, truest “good citizens” aren’t necessarily trying to follow all the rules. They’re connected to a deep sense of right and wrong, deeper than any growing list of rules. It’s best when it’s connected to something bigger that themselves. It’s a sense of purpose that comes from knowing right and wrong exists and that it’s beyond “doing the right thing”, and more about choosing to “be the right thing” ourselves. Bringing our lives to the table in service of a greater purpose, beyond right and wrong, but connected to a living and breathing spirit of truth.

We should stop worrying about raising or creating rule followers, and spend more time teaching kids how to figure out right from wrong, how to judge things rightly, for themselves. That matters more than learning to follow all of the rules, anyway.

Because at the end of the day, they aren’t going to always have us there to tell them what is right or wrong. They aren’t going to know which way to go sometimes. And they’re going to need to navigate, especially when the rules aren’t clear or it’s a new situation they haven’t experienced yet. No matter what our age, we all need to know how to find truth and to decipher things for ourselves. On purpose, and not just reaction or emotion. Not based on feelings, but on truth.

People really like to lead with our emotions. Indignation. Anger. Hatred even. Based on what we read or heard or how we believe about something, we react strongly and convincingly. Even when were dead wrong. And we bring others to come and join us. Emotions are very easily swayed and manipulated. They are a superpower of humans, but easily become a weakness when they’re disconnected from any truth.

The best place to find truth? God Himself. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He holds the answers. Truth is a person. Get to know Him.

We need a world full of people guided by real truth and less by emotion or head-knowledge.   We need a world guided by Truth, and Love, which is Jesus. When He was preparing to leave the earth, He told us He would send us a helper. The Holy Spirit, who would guide us in all things.

That’s beyond a moral compass.  It’s about  a living breathing God who cares enough to show us which way to go when we ask Him. Who doesn’t force us but will guide, as gently as possible toward the right path.  Who can and does speak through my intellect and my heart, but isn’t limited by them. Unless I let them have the reigns. Who is not limited by anything but my own willingness to be guided.

Let’s go to the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Normalize asking for direction when you’re not sure which way to go or what to think about something new. Ask God.  Ask Him for direction, ask Him for wisdom.  He says in his word that He will give it liberally.  

 One of my favorite favorite scriptures is “You will hear a voice behind you saying “this is the way, walk in it.” He also said, “My sheep hear my voice, the voice of another they will not follow.”  What about the voice telling you to do or say something or go a way that isn’t the one God intends for you? “That’s temptation!,” one of the kids reminded me the other day.  That’s right! And what did Jesus teach us to do about it? He taught us to pray: “Lead us not into temptation.  But deliver us from evil.” 

So let’s normalize asking the Holy Spirit for direction.  Let’s seek Him first.  Let’s normalize it in our daily lives, and in front of our kids, too.
 Let’s ask Him for His help and guidance at every turn. Let’s teach our kids to do the same. 

Because In a world full of rules and “experts” and emotions, isn’t He the greatest expert? In a heart full of emotions, isn’t He the experts on that too? With our minds full of questions, doesn’t He hold all the answers?

“Lord let us hear your voice.  Let us not be be guided not by any man’s rules or input, but first and foremost by your Spirit. Your Spirit of Truth. Let our moral compass be guided by your Holy Spirit, not our indignation or emotion or any other passion but the ones that You have. Share with us your thoughts and Your ways. Show us the way to go. Let us not go astray. Let us hear Your Voice,  and the voice of another we will not follow.” Let’s pray this often. Humbly, moving forward by your guiding.