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Try these on for size.
“M&Ms must be eaten in alphabetical order: blue, brown, green, orange, red, yellow.” (If you know someone who lives by this rule, DO NOT accept a job offer from them. You will regret it.)
“Money cannot buy happiness, but its more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes than on a bicycle.”
“Money can’t buy you friends, but it can get you a better class of enemy.”

It has become fashionable to write a personal Rule of Life, and I’m OK with that. People who do this try to identify the one or more vital actions or attitudes that they believe will make them happy. Then they commit to following this rule.

The most famous of these is surely the 12 Steps of the AA tradition, and it is BRILLIANT in its wisdom. In fact I’m not sure it can be bettered, even for people who are not alcoholics. (Replace ‘alcohol’ with whatever thing demands too much of your time, energy, money, or holiness and it will still work.) Actually, now I think about it some more, there is one Rule of Life that beats the 12 Steps, and it came from Jesus (surprise, surprise). “Love God with all you’ve got and love your neighbor as yourself.” Perfection.

Last month I read another Rule of Life that intrigued and excited me. It was printed on the back of the bulletin for the Graduation Ceremony of Hope Inspired Ministries. It’s quite lengthy, but I want to mention a just three parts of it:
* “I believe that I am the product of my own choices – not my circumstances. I will never blame anyone for my shortcomings.”
* “I understand that the world is not fair, and I’m OK with that. I do not resent the success of others.”
* “I believe the most annoying sounds in the world are whining and complaining. I will never make them.”

These rules of life are radical and counter-cultural. Taken out of context, they can sound like a cruel and self-loathing approach to life. They could be seen as justifying injustice and accepting abuse. But, when you read them in the light of Hope Inspired Ministries’ transformational work, they are actually, liberating. They preach to people who have every reason to look down on themselves, the God-given truth that they are special, loved, and powerful. They CAN make a difference. By God’s grace they CAN overcome bad circumstances beyond their control, and live fulfilled and fruitful lives.

That’s what I saw that evening at the Graduation Ceremony – young people who are overcoming the worst situations life could throw at them. These graduates are my role models. They tell me the truth – I can’t make excuses for my unwise actions and my selfish decisions. I need God’s resources. Only then can I be the person he calls me to be. Thanks be to God.