Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Scripture for the Day
Deuteronomy 5:22-33
I appreciate when God takes on the role of authoritarian parent, reminding the people of their covenant promises. God knows we need a pathway and supplies the boundary lines through two stone tablets brought down from the mountain. Pointing to the Ten, God says, “You shall not turn to the right or to the left. You must follow exactly the path that the Lord has commanded you.” It’s a good reminder for a people whose days are spent wandering in the wilderness.
As a long-time hiker and jogger with a renewed commitment to walk during these COVID-19 days, I find myself readily distracted. Whether I’m letting a person pass or replying to a text message, I turn off the trail and my attention drifts from the goal. As a long-time follower of Christ, I have noticed I’m easily sidetracked too. When it comes to the Ten Commandments, I wonder how many of us truly practice Sabbath keeping? Are we implicated in murder when the systems that support us involve sanctioned killing? Is money the idol that we worship today? Sometimes it feels easier to quit trying than to keep sweating it out.
But I love Godly Play. It’s a children’s curriculum and Jerome Berryman titles his lesson on the Ten Commandments, “The Ten Best Ways.” The story uses developmentally appropriate language to describe the words in the rock: “Thou shall not covet” becomes “Do not even want what others have,” and “Do not commit adultery” is “Do not break your marriage.” “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain” becomes “Be serious when you say my name.” Of course, a few of the phrases remain exactly the same. “Do not lie” and “Do not steal” make sense for all ages.
But the thing I like the most about this story comes at the end of the lesson. Once the storyteller finishes listing the last of the commandments, she uses Berryman’s script to offer some final thoughts, “God did not say that these are the ‘ten easy things to do.’ They are the Ten Best Ways to Live, the Ten Commandments. They are hard, perhaps impossible, but we are supposed to try. They mark the best way – like stones can show a path.
Parent God, I get it now. The point of the path is to try. Keep us focused on your way. Keep us moving in your love. In Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
