Recently a portion of the massive wall that lines our street collapsed. It was sudden and unexpected and it caused some panic and disruption as well as a safety risk to passers by. Fortunately no one was injured.
Immediately following this event, the police came to assess the situation and then closed the street by placing signage to warn and inform, then fences as barricades to block the passage of vehicles.
While the street is narrow and just outside the city, it is fairly busy especially during the morning commute timeframe. Motorcycles, cars, buses, bicycles and walkers all wanting to reach their destinations. Closure of this road would cause a serious disruption, especially since it is a one-way street and there are other nearby road closures.
One thing we’ve observed about our community is that while there seems to be a lot of rules, the following and enforcement of rules is very lax.
After the police departed, it took maybe two minutes for people to simply move the barriers and drive on through.
Are you picturing big, strong, tough men jumping out out their pickup trucks to move the barricades and get on their way?
If not, then good, because the perpetrators of this crime are all shapes and sizes, men and women, driving little “beep beep” cars, motor scooters, and everything else. The problem with these barricades is that they are merely lightweight aluminum fences that can easily be moved.
The police continue to move the fences back to halt the traffic, but it is futile as motorists move the fences as soon as the police leave. The police are simply doing their job for the safety of the people, however the people continue to undermine the authority of the police and put themselves and others in danger.
In today’s reading on 1 Timothy 3-4, we find a set of rules and qualifications for leaders in the church and general guidance for followers of Jesus Christ. While reading these rules it is tempting to think that they are for someone else, some may think “behind the times”, or even good to follow “most of the time”. The thing is that these rules have a history and purpose and we need to remember:
- He is God and he gets to make the rules.
- His word doesn’t change no matter how many years have passed since he said it. The truth, His truth remains forever.
- His rules were made because he loves us. They are for our best interest whether we like the rules or not.
- His word and guidance for our lives is complete and without discrepancy. We cannot pick and choose which of his commands we should follow.
If you are a Christ follower that means people are watching and observing you. Some may want us to slip up so they can make an excuse “even Christians do this and that”. As we strive to withhold God’s teaching (or if we choose to disobey) we in turn will influence others to do the same; our families, friends, co-workers and any other observer in our lives.
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16)