Some days, more specifically a set of circumstances, trigger reflection time for me. Questioning. Soul searching. Definitely talking to God about where I am and reviewing my priorities with Him. I think of it as, a performance review. That’s the idea! Or just a good “Search my heart oh Lord”. Have you experienced those times? I have been in that place of search and reviewing with the Lord lately.
During this reflection time I have been convicted by the first part of this verse. The NIV version says “in your heart revere”. The King James version says “sanctify the Lord…in your heart”. The New Living Translation says, “worship Christ as the Lord of your life”. All of them convey the same thought of setting the Lord as the sole object of your adoration and affection. That sounds really simplistic doesn’t it? Of course God is #1 in my life, because I’m a Christian. But is He really? Is He the SOLE object…?
This challenge is both convicting and worth meditating on.
So why did I choose this photo? First, I wanted something that was a sole, single object. In a sea of grass this one bunny was running from my camera, well probably running from me. But also, I thought of all the running that I have done, away from God. Focusing my adoration on other things and other people. All the running I have done from living out an authentic faith because I didn’t want to be held accountable. All the running from sharing my faith with others because either I was afraid that they would reject me or I was afraid I wouldn’t know enough or have the right answers and I didn’t want to be wrong. (And don’t miss the irony of the rabbit and the book of the Bible from which the verse is drawn.)
Moving through the rest of the verse.
Am I prepared to talk to people about Jesus? Well, yes. If He is on my mind and in my heart. If He is my purpose in life. If He is my audience and the object of my deepest affection. My thoughts are of Him, my speech is about Him, my actions represent Him; I am ready because of the hope (+ joy, peace, patience, kindness…) that guides me.
Do you see the progression?
Is He your #1? If not, what is? Does it/he/she give you hope for eternity? Love that never ends? A purpose to live for? I can tell you that my JESUS does all of that.
If He is your #1? Are you ready to give an answer to others? Would they even ask you? Do they see something in your life that they would like to have?
Jesus was always ready with an answer, to every question, every problem. He loved. He was truthful. He was righteous.
More questions than answers today. The answers to these questions cannot come from me today, they have to be worked out in your review time with the Lord. He is waiting for you.
