Joe and Jessa, some people respond poorly to authority. They avoid authority because they have something to hide. Others are disrespectful, hostel and aggressive because they feel that they have been wronged. Maybe you have heard people talk badly about authority because they don't think that they deserve to be in that position. Then there are examples of people who just don't like to be told what to do! For a host of reasons people will respond to authority in many different ways. I have a story to tell you.

When I was in college my basketball team traveled from Oregon to California to play

ball over the Christmas break. We had a day off in the schedule and our coaches wanted to take us to San Francisco go site seeing. When we got to the city we parked the big van down by the fishing docks. Before we took off our coaches gave us options. They knew their way around the area and would like to show us the city BUT if we wanted to go on our own that was fine as long as we went with someone else. Several hours later we all piled back in the van to head back.

As it ended up there were three groups that day. The first one stayed on the docks the whole time. Enjoying all the sights and SMELLS of the fishing industry. They ate at McDonald's and never went out of view of the van.

The second group of players jumped on the first trolley they found and headed up the hill. This group stayed on the trolley until the driver stopped and got off.

They spent the rest of the day trolley jumping trying to find one going back to the docks. The third group stayed with the coaches. They took pictures of the city, went shopping in all the souvenir shops and had lunch in China town.

I often think back to this day and I wonder why the players made the decision that they did. Were some of the players afraid that they wouldn't have any fun if they went with the coaches? Did others want freedom to do what they wanted? Maybe they didn't want to be told what to do but were to fearful to be on their own. For whatever reason the girls did what they did I choose to stay with the coaches. The whole point of the day was to enjoy the city, why would I not stay with the ones who knew it best and had our best interest in mind.

This story challenges my relationship with the Lord. Do I want to be with Him, share the day together, follow His lead, trust that He has my best interests in mind or do I want to go my own way? I don't have to include Him it is my choice. I am free to do what I want. However, in the end do I want to spend my time just getting back to where I started ? Do I want to stay where I am and never go outside my comfort zone? Joe and Jessa, I pray that you will want to enjoy following the Lord and trust that He will always love you and be there for you! He will be as close as you allow Him to be!

1 Peter 2:13-17 New International Version

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s willthat by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 New International Version

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.