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by Rob Globke
Before jumping into a list of the ten commandments, I think it would be good to reflect on verse number two. Verse number two is important, very important. It states…
Exodus 20:2
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
The reason this is so important is because it highlights something very true and glorious about our Heavenly Father. It shows that He is a God of grace before law. This verse reminds us that God first SAVES us and RESCUES us from the slavery of sin before giving us a list of things to do. This ordering is both beautiful and essential. We are to remember that we can never work our way to God by obeying the law He gives us. Instead, we are commanded to obey the law precisely because we have already been drawn to God through Christ.
Verse two is God’s way of saying, “Remember, it’s not about you, but about me and what I have done for you.” Let’s not forget that!
Now, onto some questions which will help us live as God’s rescued people at the rink.
#1 & #2 - You shall have no other gods or image before me.- Has hockey or the fame of playing hockey taken first place in my heart?
- Have I trusted myself or something else over God?
- Where is the first place you turn for hope, peace, fulfillment? Hockey or God Almighty?
#3 - You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.- How do I talk about God in the locker room or with my teammates?
- What do I say when I make a bad play?
- Have I been lighthearted or joked using God’s name?
- Am I afraid to talk about God with those around me?
#4 - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy- Has sports taken priority of my time during the week?
- Would I be willing to miss a game or practice if I felt I needed to set aside a time for God?
- Am I listening during worship or thinking about my next game, my latest goal, or something else?
- Is the spending a day with God sound boring to spending a day playing hockey?
#5 - Honor your Father and Mother- Do my actions the same when my parents are present vs. when they are not around?
- Am I willing to trust my parents instruction? Even if it prevents me from doing what I want?
- Have I thanked my mom or dad for the things they do for me so I can play the game I love?
- When do I pray for my parents?
- Do I treat my parents as if they are God’s representatives to me?
#6 - You shall not murder- When do I get angry with my opponents or teammates?
- Are my words harmful to those at the rink? Even the refs?
- Have I helped my teammate or even my enemy instead of hoped for their destruction?
- What causes me to get really angry?
- Am I holding a grudge against someone? Maybe I am holding a grudge against my coach?
#7 - You shall not commit adultery- Have I striven to have my actions, thoughts, and words reflect the purity of God?
- What kind of speech am I taking part of in the locker room?
#8 - You shall not steal- Am I discontent with the things God has given me?
- Have I ever claimed an assist when I knew it wasn’t mine? Would I do that?
- Have I been lazy at the rink, and not being faithful with God’s time?
- Have I “borrowed” someone’s tape or pads without asking or giving it back?
#9 - You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor- Have I talked poorly about my coach or teammates behind their back?
- Is there times when I want to purposefully harm the reputation of my neighbor?
- Do I take part in gossip while in the room getting ready?
- What do I say about my opponent?
- Do I look for the bad in the players around me or the good?
#10 - You shall not covet- Do I think constantly about the equipment I don’t have, but others do?
- Am I jealous of the success of my fellow teammates?
- Do I get mad at God because He was not being fair in giving me good talent?
- Have I become bitter because I don’t have the skills someone else has?
Of course, these are definitely not an exhaustive list, but hopefully they help get us thinking about how we can better be God’s people at the rink.
