This makes me think of David Letterman

and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life – Proverbs 6.23

But I don’t want to wear a seat belt.  It’s restrictive.  Plus every time I hear that thing beep I hear the government telling me what to do.  I don’t like to be told what to do.  And I don’t want to wear a helmet or lifejacket.  And I don’t think I should have to secure my belongings and return my tray table to a locked and upright position.

But you’re actually free to not wear a seat belt or helmet.  You really are – no one will physically force you.  You’re not free to avoid the ticket or citation if you’re caught.  And the idea of those consequences is to spare you the worse consequence of being maimed or killed.  You could say the commands and the consequences are both disciplines for the good of your life.  Unless of course the consequences kill you. 

Most of the time you’re free to do what you want or like.  You don’t have to work.  You don’t have to go to church.  You don’t have to read the Bible.  Or trust Jesus.  You don’t have to eat – or restrict your eating.  You don’t have to pay attention to your kids or love your spouse or mow the lawn or pay your bills.  You can watch TV and cruise the internet all you want.  You can flirt or get angry or get drunk or have sex.  You don’t have to write the book or pursue the dream.  But you’re not free to pick what happens if you do or don’t do those things.  The only way you’re free to pick your consequences is by the discipline of restricting the choices that come before. 

Comments

[cindy]

I liked this!