November 22th, 2004

Rules are not for cheaters! 

With all due respect to David Letterman—the most famous “Top Ten List” in history was originally written by God several thousand years ago. Certainly the most famous, but—unfortunately—not the most popular.

Intrinsic to our human nature seems to be a stubbornness that tends to resist rules.  We simply do not like being told what—and what not—to do.

Man brings very little into this life from birth, but one thing he brings is a self-centered orientation which ultimately expresses itself as selfishness. At some point in the growth process, that strong willful spirit must be broken into submission before obedience and civility can become a practical reality in a person’s life.

Unfortunately, that stubborn willfulness never goes away completely—forever challenging our capricious efforts to bring it under control.  I suppose that’s why we hate rules so much.

God’s Top Ten—direct from the home office atop Mount Sinai—were known as the Ten Commandments and were meant to serve as guidelines for man’s ultimate good and happiness. Or, as Letterman might say it, “our category tonight—the top ten ways to guarantee true happiness and fulfillment in life.”

Even though these commandments were meant for our happiness and not our displeasure (as some seem to think), they are still commandments. So remember, they’re the 10 Commandments, not the 10 Suggestions.

If laws are broken and certain rules are not followed, those rules then serve another purpose. They now become the standard or comparison by which the law breaker is judged and found guilty of disobedience. The same law—which was never created with cheaters in mind—now becomes the very means of evaluation and judgment. 

Therefore, there are consequences to breaking laws. Without consequences, laws merely become advice. That’s why a rulebook is not a book of advice.  It’s a book of rules. Rules with consequences. It’s also the reason God’s Rulebook is more than just a book of advice—it contains laws and commandments.

There is a very important verse of scripture in the Old Testament of the Bible (that’s the portion no one enjoys reading).  It’s found in Deuteronomy 6:24 and says, “The Lord commanded us to obey all these laws and to fear the Lord our God, for our good always.”  For our good!

Without question, the most satisfied person in racing is the one who succeeds while still obeying the rules.  Likewise, the happiest person in life is the one who finds that success and fulfillment come as a result of following God’s guidelines—not opposing them.

So be good and be happy.  And learn the joys of obedience!

Ken Owen

© 2004 TeamRFC