Loving God enough to break the rules

On her departure from London, my best friend gave me a card picturing two women growing old disgracefully.

As much as I loved my friend’s beautiful words of love which filled the space inside, at the time I found this card’s message hard to swallow. I find breaking rules very difficult indeed. Rules of punctuation, the highway, etiquette and sport have always inspired me to be the best I can be within those set parameters. What then, of Jesus’ suggestion that those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, will be blessed with and by the Kingdom of God?

Am I brave enough to through caution to the wind, to take risks, to open myself up to the possibility of failure? How can I call myself a follower of Jesus when the consequences of following him might mean breaking some of my own rules, expectations and norms and encountering persecution in doing so?

Context is of course important to consider and risk-taking for risk-taking's sake is probably a bit daft really. But maybe, just maybe, on this adventure called life I will start to break my own rules and find freedom in doing so.