Ever hear the following before? “That doesn’t apply to me!” I am willing to bet that if you have not heard it, or even said it, you have watched this type of behavior play out. Especially in the world of pandemic and covid-19.

Ever wonder why this great country is greater? Can I say that? Well, I did! Seriously, it could be even better, but there are far too many people who believe that rules, regulations, etc. do not apply to them and that creates problems.

Example number 1: Recently I was sitting in a Panera Coffee and they had certain tables blocked off for social distancing. They even went to the “next level” of tying chairs to the tables along with the decals on top of them stating this table not in use for social distancing. Well I watched several people try to pull chairs out, move tables, etc. I even watched a senior citizen take out his pocket knife and cut a chair loose! Then I also noticed staff sitting at a table that was supposed to be not used. – Rules didn’t apply to them…

Example number 2: Eating at restaraunt and watched a group sit down in one spot and then began adding people and tables to this area that was clearly marked “10 people allowed only.” They had over 15 and a manager tried to explain things to them, no one moved. – Rules didn’t apply to them…

Example number 3: How many times in the past 10-20 years have we heard about an athelte or hollywood star do something that would involved police, only to be released with no fines, jail, etc. – Too Many! – Rules didn’t apply to them…

Example number 4: POLITICS – Just leaving that alone – Rules didn’t apply to them…

Example number 5: Some of us, most of us, majority of us? Have you ever seen the show “Parking Wars?” A simple show about parking enforcement in some very large cities. Flabbergasted at people’s responses about receiving tickets for parking in loading zones, in front of fire hydrants, handicap spots and more. Almost every person things that parking authority is a joke and just out for money. I’ve heard criminals say this same thing about law enforcement ” they are a joke.” Criminals or not – we all have rules, regulations and laws to follow. – Rules don’t apply to them…

But here is the reality check; rules DO apply to you, me, all of us! Can you imagine this already messed up world without rules? Can you imagine people speeding through your neighborhood where kids are playing outside near or in the streets? What about going to the mall and someone decided that day they wanted to go shopping – in the nude! What chaos that would create! What much “simpler” things that we learned when we were growing up: what if we all stopped taking turns, patiently waiting in lines, using our indoor voices, etc.?

Came across this intro to a bible lesson: “Just imagine waking up tomorrow only to realize that there are no longer any road signs or stop signals in your town. Can you imagine the chaos of what would happen in your city? Late employees would be running through school buses to make it to work. Little kids dodging cars because the school-crossing guard is stuck in a traffic jam. The public transportation buses would be lost because they can’t tell which way is north. And school would be cancelled because all the teachers would be terrified to leave their houses to go to work. Now before you celebrate about school being cancelled, understand this is bad…Very Bad. Having no restrictions, signs, or any signals to direct vehicles could lead to ultimate destruction. Your city would become the largest roller derby arena in history. Now just imagine if that was the story of human history. What would this world look like if there weren’t any laws or restrictions? It would be chaos!”

So, the rules do apply to all of us. My suggestion is to treat others like you would like to be treated, OR at least remember that. None of us really want to be treated poorly. None of us want poor service at a store, eating out, etc. the thing is the human race is very unkind to each other. So the next time you are out and about, LEAD by example, BE a role model. Show the world it is still possible to treat each other with kindness and love and that we really can abide by the rules / laws set before us.

BE THE DIFFERENCE in some one else’s bad day.

Thanks for stopping by the fire,

Pastor Dennis