I have lived much of my life asking the simple question “what rules?” It isn’t that I have defied authority; I am made a practice of respecting authority, persons or institutions, just not being bound by them. It may sound somewhat strange but I actually respect the roles that institutions play. I do believe that people need not be bound by others rules. Am I accountable to the rule setting? If I want to be part of the group then the answer is absolutely! Should I limit my activities and decisions because of the group? Not if I want to be true to my mission and purpose.
The question with this always centers on the danger of playing outside the rules. What if the rule you are breaking is core to the values? What if the principle is one that violates the laws of a higher institution? What if the rule is there for one’s personal safety? What ifs can go on and on, but the point is that rules are there for a purpose!
Corporate policies are great examples of rules that imply the spirit of the law. The blunt problem is that certain rules, especially the spirit of them, conflict with each other. Given one’s goals how can one adhere to every rule unless one just stops and does nothing which automatically means that one fails in one’s purpose.
The challenge lies is a simple question. If you break the rules, are you willing to be accountable in a way that implies open and transparent honesty? If so, then go for it! If not then take a long hard look at your motives.
In days gone by, the Jews had rules, lots of them. At one point “the Jews stopped the healed man and said, ‘It's the Sabbath. You can't carry your bedroll around. It's against the rules.’” (John 5.10)
It was their rules versus God’s command and mission.
Today is your and my opportunity to let compassion, mercy, and accepting nurture rule! Nothing and nobody need stop us! And for this accountability rests.
