We homeschool our kids through a local co-op designed in a classical education style. It has been a real blessing for the kids in challenging them to study, memorize, and receive a quality education in which we’re a primary agent engaged in the process. The kids have enjoyed being there as well.

This year, however, the decision was made to implement a simple dress code for the students. The intent was to reduce any concerns regarding brand-name materialism that can affect teens quite easily, and to encourage the students to embrace modesty as a value. For the guys, a simple blue colored polo shirt accompanied by either khakis or jeans was the rule. Simple and clear.

Well now.

You would have thought that we had just implemented Dickensian martial law, complete with stifling curfews and stigmata-inducing penances. March in step, kids; get those goose-step kicks high! Make your Dear Leader proud of you as you march to war as cannon fodder for the motherland!

"Javol, herr commandant. The Gestapo is in total control of the situation."

Today, it’s blue polo’s. Tomorrow, it’s the branding of the foreheads and wrists.

Yes, our real secret intention was to aggravate and annoy the students by imposing such draconian measures of severity as to suck the joy out of life and learning. “Mwwaahhaaa! Our master plan of despair is working! Next, we’re going to institute mandatory calisthenics—while forcing the kids to smile and shout positive phrases like 'we love our parents!' or 'school is great!'"

As you might have guessed, there's been some rumbling underfoot from some of the male students. A few consider it an injustice. Oh the horrors.

So why bring up such a silly notion as “Polo Authority”? Because it’s a simple illustration of our chafing against the rules. Any rules. Doesn’t matter whose or why. The fact that we face imposed limits upon our greatly cherished freedom to do what we want when we want to with borderline fury illustrates our basic human nature that resists the guiding hand of God.

Can’t envy someone else and gossip about them? Uptight. Can’t steal what someone else has worked for? Mean-spirited. Can’t have sex with anyone we want when we want to? Prude.

God’s design since the beginning has been to protect and provide. He wants to take an active role in being our daily shepherd. His intent was never to “set the clock” in motion and leave us alone to our impulses and desires. Before the fall, we were his willing respondents. Now we just say ‘talk to the hand’.

God's perspective is slightly different. He wants us to willingly submit and follow him as He leads. And don't resist - you only end up looking like a donkey (or it's derivative). Check out Psalm 32:8-10:

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him."

Here’s the kicker: we find more freedom as we practice total surrender. As we end the resistance, and accept his goodness, we find more freedom to be the person God’s designed us to be. Maybe more accurately, we find the strength and courage to be the people we never could be when we only could rely on ourselves.

May you find that in complete resignation to Jesus, you discover great joy, contentment, and the ability to be the real you. Even in a blue polo shirt.