June 23. Who Changed The Rules?

When rules change, I think that it is reasonable that the players might change as well. As entrepreneurs and leaders, both of those changes can be critical to our success. We get used to our rules, our circumstances, and our routine. But those rules also exclude some others as well.

If your rules state that you must work on Monday, and someone has a conflict on Monday, you cannot very well expect them to apply to be a member of your team. But to change the rules and allow this team member to not work on Monday allows for a different team dynamic and result.

When rules change it takes leadership and conversation to occur for the members to understand and agree to stay with the new game. It makes sense that if you cannot play by the new rules then you probably need to find a new game. No judgment on the people but old rules provide old results.

New rules provide a new result. It seems reasonable to me, and I believe it is a pattern proved out throughout history. Where do you need a new set of rules for your organization, family, finances, or fitness plan? They might be as important for your organization as they are for yourself.

What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days?

In Acts 15:1-35, we read about the church going through some rule changes. For the Jews of the nation of Israel, God was their God. The Israelites were the chosen ones. Their set of laws were for them from God.

So seemingly, if God was going to be for others in addition to them, certainly the old rules would apply they thought. But they learned quickly that this was not to be the case. Jesus Christ was the establishment of a new set of rules.

The old ones might still be around, but the new ones must be applied as well. Imagine if the game you were playing had rules changed during the game. You roll the dice which results in a rule change. You now collect a prize of $1000 for passing go in the game of Monopoly instead of $200.

The $200 was the normal or old rule. That would change the game. Rents do not have to change, nor the prices for the properties but there will be more blessings when you pass go. You might want to play by the new rules under that new blessing.

But you could just stop playing the game or refuse to collect the excess, but the other players will be collecting the higher blessing. Jesus Christ is the biggest gift one can ever receive. Where are you fighting the new rules? Where are you playing by the old rules instead of the new ones?

Perhaps it is time to be accountable to a new set of rules. What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, thank you for your gift of Jesus Christ. Help us to open our eyes and hearts to your unending love and the new rules that we accepted when we accepted Christ as our Savior. Guide us and comfort us where we are resistant to the rule changes in our lives.

Help us to work through the new rules that we might be dealing with and to focus on Christ as we do it. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,