“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate.” Genesis 3:6-7

“Every society has rules. Rules are the structures that protect us from anarchy. They tell us how we are to behave and what we are supposed to do and when we are supposed to do it. Rules and laws protect society from chaos and confusion. We can’t have people breaking the rules in the name of Jesus, can we? Every time the disciples started establishing rules—no children near Jesus; don’t let the crowd touch Jesus; don’t talk to Samaritan women; don’t let people waste expensive perfumes—Jesus told them to knock it off, and His rebuke was usually followed by a lecture that said, “You still don’t get it! We are not substituting religious rules with our rules. We are substituting religious rules with Me!” Jesus kept saying “Follow Me,” not “follow My rules.” (Michael Yaconelli. Dangerous Wonder: The Adventure of Childlike Faith (p. 58). Kindle Edition.)

Many people in this life surround themselves with things that they think will bring them comfort and peace. The attachments that society wants us to grasp so tightly onto are simply masks for what lies beneath – our life-long search to find meaning in our lives. Why did Eve step out of the “rules” set up by G-d? Because she had the free-will to think, to want, to desire, and to choose. G-d gives you and me the same free-will. The things we surround ourselves with – or hide behind say much about who we trust – G-d, or our own determination. Thomas Merton once said: “If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I am living for, in detail, ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for.”

We are Children of G-d. This is what gives us value. All else is illusion and self-deception.

Pastor Dave