The 11 Rules of Life. . .A New Twist

A while ago, I read the 11 Rules of Life that were quoted from Charles Sykes, Dumbing Down Our Kids. Bill Gates was once credited for authoring this, however, he was simply quoting Sykes during a college commencement at which he [Bill Gates] had spoken.  While it is very true and poignant, I insured on the first day of school this year that every one of my students received a copy of it to read and hopefully they will ponder it.  As I was praying, I felt that I would set it out those same rules here -  just with a different twist.  I hope you enjoy it and that it blesses you.

Rule 1:

Life is not fair, get used to it. 

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus". Philippians 4:19

Rule 2:

The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself.  "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Rule 3:

You will not make 40 thousand dollars a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice president with a car phone until you earn both.  "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

Rule 4:

If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure.  "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15

Rule 5:

Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping; they called it opportunity."Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" Colossians 3:23  "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Rule 6:

If you screw up, it's not your parents' fault so don't whine about your mistakes. Learn from them.

“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.”  Proverbs 24:16

Rule 7:

Before you were born your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way paying bills, cleaning your room, and listening to you tell them how idealistic you are.  So before you save the rain forest from the blood-sucking parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.  “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:4-6

Rule 8:

Your school may have done away with winners and losers but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades, they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer.  This, of course, bears not the slightest resemblance to anything in real life. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

Rule 9:

Life is not divided into semesters.  You don't get summers off, and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself.  Do that on your own time.  “There is a time for everything,  and a season for every activity under the heavens; He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1,11

Rule 10:

Television is not real life.  In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12

Rule 11:

Be nice to nerds.  Chances are you'll end up working for one... “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:7

Remember:  Jesus loves you as no other.  He cares for you and He is waiting to hear from you.  Just whisper his name - that sweet, blessed, calming, restorative, trusted name!