Don't read this! Don't do this!

I now continue what I meant to write in the last post/blog: Perhaps I should start with the story of the caged bird. Some of you may have heard it; for those who haven't, I will retell it my way- The proverbial version talks about a cage bird who had everything he needed: food, water, amusements, etc. Really this bird had no need of anything. However, day after day the bird's curiosity grew about what life outside of the cage was like. This bird had even reasoned in his head that he had not really lived until he had at least one chance to explore the outside world before he died. This wonder lust effected him so much that he would spend sleepless nights wondering what the world was like outside the cage. One day, when he thought that he couldn't stand it anymore his owner got careless and left the cage door open for a minute. The caged bird seized on this brief and rare opportunity and flew out! Oh the feelings, oh the rush! Without another thought he landed on the floor to explore. However all this time there was a cat who had been watching him all this time and waiting just for the right opportunity to ponce and and eat that bird! With a bounding leap that cat had that caged bird in his mouth. Just as the cat was starting to shake that bird the owner came in and swatted that cat on the back so that the bird would be expelled! Quickly the owner had the bird picked up and inserted back in his cage. However that bird never flew again because that cat had forever damaged that bird's wing. So it took that bird a very painful lesson to find out that what was perceived as confinement was really protection!
Now let's take this story and apply it to real life: Everybody has heard of the Ten Commandments in one form or another. Some remember all of them; many end up having their stomachs churn because of what the Ten Commandments represents to them-confinement and a loss of freedom. However I want to propose that the Ten Commandments are actually expressions of love, (in the form of protection)! You've heard it said "Don't lie"? Well following that one protects your integrity when you obey that one. "Don't commit adultery"? Following the one will protect you from venereal disease. Rather than go through and list all the practical benefits of following all the Commandments let me just ask some questions: Do you really know anybody who is really better off lying all time, being intimate with anybody, or stealing with ease? (I knew you would say 'no'!). Usually such people pay in this life, (think Folsom prison).
Just like that bird in the story who misunderstood the purpose of his cage, we have misunderstood God and the reason for those Commandments.
I am in no way a legalist, nor a libertarian. It is my hope that I can give a clearer picture of God and other things that the Bible talks about. I believe that is call 'perspective'.