How Did We Get Here?

Don’t do this.

Don’t do that.

Don’t think of a big pink elephant.

Yep.

Just pictured that dang elephant inside my mind.

Always.

We learned this in a parenting class when our kids were little.

Use positive language.

Instead of saying “Don’t go into the street.” 

Try saying “Stay on the sidewalk”.

Instead of “Don’t run”.

Say “Walk.”

The power of words.

And I worked hard on this.

Not using negative words.

Helping our children to not think of the pink elephant.

But then?

Well then… they started growing up.

“Don’t lust, boys”.

“Don’t cause the boys to lust, girls”.

“Don’t have sex”.

“Don’t even think about having sex”.

“Better yet, don’t even think about kissing”.

“Or holding hands”.

“Or liking anyone in that way”.

Don’t, don’t, don’t.

And while you are at it, don’t drink or cuss or listen to “secular” music.

Don’t lie, steal, cheat.

And for God’s sake, don’t disrespect your parents.

Just… well, just…. Don’t.

Whatever is pure and holy?

Think on these things.

But most importantly?

Don’t think on those things.

If you do, there will be hell to pay.

Literal Hell.

But, don’t think about that.

Trust God.

Don’t listen to the devil.

Don’t think about satan.

Don’t watch anything that might make you think about satan.

And don’t lie about it if you do.

Oh, and one more… definitely don’t waste your life.

Deep breath.

How did we get here?

Is anyone else feeling like everything is spinning out of control?

Burdens heaped on us.

Not to mention, the burdens I have heaped on others.

So much focus on the “don’ts”.

So much so that it became our identity.

What christians “Don’t do”.

“Not even a hint”, we said.

“Don’t cause your brother to stumble”, we told our daughters.

And on and on it went.

I do remember one brief moment in our evangelical days.

One time where our family focused on the “doing”.

Loving our neighbors.

Feeding the homeless.

Caring for the poor.

We did some crazy, good things in the name of Jesus.

It lasted a sweet minute.

Then?

Well, then… we started to tell our homeless friends about what “not” to do.

All the loving led to leading.

Straight into the same bondage we had been living in.

We gave grace and then took it away.

“Jesus loves you… now don’t drink anymore”

Did we give them rest?

How could we?

If we wanted to prove their new found faith, they had to get their act together.

And round and round and round we went.

The vicious cycle of “don’ts”.

I became dizzy.

Which made me anxious.

Which led to depression.

And then to doubt.

Not doubt in Jesus.

Doubt in the system.

Especially when the people who were crying “Don’t”?

They were the ones who were “Doing” the most damage.

They “don’ted” themselves right into doing all they told us not to do.

Quietly at first.

Undercover.

No-one knew.

Except, we all kinda knew.

So I asked questions.

You know how they answered?

Yep.

“Don’t ask questions”.

“Don’t lead others astray”.

“Don’t scare the children”.

“Don’t make us look bad”.

Oh, and “Don’t make Jesus look bad”.

They just couldn’t handle it.

But, I couldn’t help it.

And I know now that Jesus could/can handle it.

You see, it’s his kindness.

It’s his love.

His grace and mercy.

His peace that passes all understanding.

This is where my hope is.

This is where my rest is.

In a God who leads us by still waters.

Into greener pastures.

A more expansive life.

Loving, giving, serving.

Expecting nothing in return.

Do you know how nice it is to expect nothing in return?

Not trying to “sell” anything anymore.

There is no system for me to sell.

Instead, there is a love I can share.

An unconditional, never-ending love.

My thoughts are not ridden with guilt and shame anymore.

And the more I realize this?

The more I want to share it with the World.

Is it risky?

You know, not telling others all the rules?

All the laws?

Well, let me ask this.

How is it working for the church right now?

How is everyone doing?

Yep, I thought so.

Maybe it’s time for us to rest.

Deep breath.

Just simply rest.