Recently the children’s home went to Brady for a few days on a retreat and the game of hockey was played. Fortunately, we were not on ice or roller blades and injuries were kept to a minimum. Lea Jenkel, Howard and Carmen’s niece, tripped (or was tripped), and fell on the concrete and hurt her knee but has recovered nicely.

One of the rules of this game was, that a player was not allowed to bring the hockey stick above his/her waist. If you did, then you had to sit out for two minutes. If you continued to do this, you would be banned from the game.

As we started to play, it wasn’t long until someone had to sit out—me. Yes, I raised the stick above my waist. The thing that amazed me was, I was trying to be careful and not do it and, was surprised to find that I had—more than one person told me I did. So, I had to take my seat on the bench for two minutes. This left my team with one less player.

Everything we do in life has rules that are to be followed. Why? Are they put there to keep us from having fun? Are they burdensome? Rules are placed for our protection and for the protection of those around us. It is not because someone doesn’t want us to have a good time.

Right before the death of Moses, he told the Israelites that if they would follow God, forsake idols and keep His commandments, then God would bless them. He also told them that if they disobeyed Him, then curses would come upon them (Deuteronomy 28).

These rules were placed in effect in order that the Israelites would be focused on what was important—God. It was not to harm them. As we look back, we see they did not diligently seek God. As a result, He kept His word—as He always does—and allowed the curses to overtake their lives.

Sin has a way of capturing us and keeping us from that which is important. We can either give in to it or, we can overcome it. We are free to make that choice. When we choose to sin, life has a way of closing in on us, and destroying us. And, there are times that we cause others to sin by our actions.

I pray that the way each of us lives our lives, would be in a way that would submit to the rules in our country and according to God’s Word. This way we will be blessed and will be able to live with God for eternity. Are you following the rules God has given us or, do you think Satan has a better plan?