Do you remember your old school playground? Maybe there was a great jungle gym at a park in your town. As a kid, there’s something special about going to a big playground. I remember one in my hometown that was like a big castle. It had many wooden bridges, towers, and a lot of fun activities. We loved going to “Castle Park.”
Now imagine a parent taking their children to a fantastic playground. Everyone is so excited for a fun day, but upon arrival, the kids play on the playground for about two seconds, then spend the rest of the day standing by the perimeter fence, wondering about everything that is outside the park. As a parent myself, I’d probably be a bit frustrated. I just brought the kids to a great park, and they don’t seem to want any part of it.
Sometimes I wonder if this is how God feels with His children. Look at this verse:
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3 ESV
If we love God, we will keep His commandments. His commandments are not meant to be a burden to us; they are meant to protect us and help us grow close to Him.
I often liken this to a playground. God has given us so many good things to do and enjoy in His world. This is the playground. He has also given us a law: commands to follow that protect us from evil and eternal damnation. This is the fence around the playground. The point of God’s law is not to keep us from a plethora of fun things He doesn’t want us to enjoy! It is a fence placed to protect us from getting involved in things that will destroy our soul.
Let’s stop hanging near the fence, sitting on it, or even crossing it. Let’s enjoy the blessings God has given us and thank Him for protecting us from evil.
V
Comment below something great that God has given us to enjoy!