It doesn’t take a Sherlock Holmes to notice how careful we are when it comes to allocating our limited resources, does it?  Rightfully so, I suppose.  Thus, the word limited.  Whether it is our hard earned paychecks and the many much needed items that money might purchase.  Or less intrinsic, possessions such as our emotions or our ever diminishing time.  We guard it carefully and weigh the cost of letting any of it go . . . material or immaterial.

Curious then how we can sometimes be so haphazard in the divvying up of our heart?  The Psalmist says, “Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name” (Psalm 86:11).  The Psalmist here speaks of his heart being united with God’s that they might be one and the same.  Being of like heart means possessing identical passions and  identical goals.  It carries with it the idea of being loyal, and because of that loyalty, being faithful to follow after that one thing – the heart (will) of God.

When we embrace Christ as our Lord and Savior we speak as the Psalmist spoke, “Give me an undivided heart, O Lord!”  But honestly, how faithful are we to that statement?  How often can you say that your heart beats as one with Christ’s.  Or is it more true to our actions to say: “God, You handle Your end (eternity) and I’ll handle my end (me)”?

Are we there yet?  Are we near the place where we can truly say, “Teach me Your way, O Lord”?  If we are, then we’re nearer to peace than we know . . . nearer to being possessed with His mind than we can imagine . . . nearer to that “fear” that leads to holiness and righteousness and eternity.  No matter what wealth or notoriety might come our way through its division, our desire as disciples must be focused toward giving God a complete heart – uncaptured by the world.  My prayer now, Father, is that You’ll help me to live daily with that focus.

“Teach me Your way, O Lord!”

– Dale

My grandson and I were shopping the other day in one of those stores that makes you covet things.  Every aisle filled with more stuff to help you take care of the other stuff you already have.  In our diligent search for affordable stuff we ran across what my grandson referred to as toy lawnmowers.  They weren’t really toys at all.  They just weren’t motorized!  “How can you cut grass without a motor, papa?”  How, indeed?  If you’ve ever used one of those “evil contraptions” with any regularity, you know a little carbon emission can be a good thing!  Change is good, right?  Especially when it makes life easier.

It’s interesting how we seldom fight change when those changes help make life a little less difficult – a little less sweat inducing (give me an automatic transmission any day).  But let that change creep in upon a deep-seated belief or a cherished truism of ours, and there could be trouble a brewing.

Surrendering one’s life to Christ can be rough because it means surrendering our minds, our world view, the way we compartmentalize things and events around us.  It means giving up on the strongly held belief that we’re the center of the universe and our way of seeing the world is the right way or at least the best way.  It means letting go of selfish thoughts that promote us and allowing God to have full reign.  To allow Him to move us in whatever direction He so chooses – mind, body, and spirit.  It means (if you’re willing to receive it) putting Christ and His passions first before our own desires!  It’s no wonder that we fight this inward change so tenaciously.  Right about here, is where many well-intentioned people begin to jump off the “Jesus bandwagon.”  We’re good with eternal life and the concept of heaven, but chafe when it comes to denying ourselves.  Like the Jesus followers in the sixth chapter of John, we don’t like the hard teachings, so we stop following.  The problem multiplies itself when we start creating our own “path” with a more agreeable leader.  We can become very adapt at fooling ourselves.  Please remember it’s not real unless He’s real!

To follow the real Jesus, you and I must be willing to change and receive the hard teachings.  We have to view this world not as our paradise but as our field in which to labor.  Every soul a task of love.  Every person the very image of God before us.  Every day an opportunity for change! . . . Becoming more like Christ.

“Teach me your way O Lord.”

–Dale