“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” 2 John 1:6

I had the need to see a doctor I had never met before. After the referral, I received an email from his office with instructions about the appointment. Several times I saw, written in bold print, “Please do not arrive early!” It was the first time I had ever heard THAT rule before!

With the appointment set for 9am, I arrived at 8:40am because of the rule drilled into me, ”early is on time, on time is late, and late is never acceptable.” So… what to do? I sat in my truck until 9:52. When I started heading toward the door, there was a man ahead of me by about 10 seconds. He was older, and I could have easily beat him, but rules of courtesy came first and I had time!

Once in, I heard him give his name and say, “I have a 9:30 appointment.” Astonished, I thought, “Flagrant violator! Didn’t you read the instructions?” When it was my turn I said “McCay… 9am… because I READ YOUR INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT NOT BEING EARLY!’” After helping them out with enforcement, I sat down. About 9 minutes later the door opened.. and they called HIM FIRST!

I wasn’t mad or upset, since I didn’t have anywhere else to be. But I was intrigued! So I asked, “I’m just curious as to why your office was so explicit, yet called the early guy first! She mentioned something about not having copied my paperwork yet! After about 10 minutes HE walked out and they called me in! I think I saw a snicker on his face!

I have a love/hate relationship with rules because I don’t like lots of them. Yet trying to live in a society without rules would be murder… Literally! Growing up, I was promised that life would be better for me if I simply obeyed ‘The Rules.’ But I have learned that not everybody does, and that rule breakers often benefit when there are no consequences. Like the snickering Mr. Early!

On the way home, I hit the Venice Drawbridge. I SAW a red light as I approached, but didn’t really comprehend what it meant, since the gates weren’t lowering. When I finally realized I was supposed to stop, I was just ‘at the edge’ of the decision. Then hit the gas!!! Yes, like Mr Early, I got away with it. But then I kinda sensed that Jesus wasn’t too happy about it!

Are you proving you love Jesus by following The Rules?