Psalm 1
God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night.
They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do. That isn’t true of those who are evil, because they are like straw blown by the wind. Sinners won’t have an excuse on the day of judgment, and they won’t have a place with the people of God.
The Lord protects everyone who follows him, but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Over the weekend, my best friend, Marla, and I attended a party to celebrate the marriage of two of our friends from high school. The weather was quirky, and we debated what to wear for a party on the river. The invitation said “outdoor festive attire.” So Marla chose a denim skirt and a pretty blouse… and I decided to wear a simple knit black dress.
I’ve had this dress for more than ten years… it is so old I can’t remember when I actually bought it. I find it as comfortable as pajamas… yet it looks nice enough to wear to a party. It doesn’t wrinkle, washes and dries in less than an hour, and can be worn with casual sandals to shop at Wal-Mart… or with dressy jewelry and heels to the most elegant party. You may have a “go-to” piece in your closet. It could be a basic dress, your favorite t-shirt or pair of jeans, or the sneakers that look more like dress shoes that you wear with everything you own!
The point is… most of us have an item in our closet that we turn to over and again… the piece that makes us feel good in our own skin – comfortable, confident, happy and grounded. This is the item that we are certain will always be appropriate and frees us to concentrate on being present in the moment instead of worrying, “Did I wear the right thing?”
Our relationship with God should be as comfortable and worry-free as the most dependable garment in our closet or our favorite t-shirt or sneakers. GOD should be our “go-to” item… His wisdom and love should be the guiding force that frees us to concentrate on the people and tasks at hand, rather than on whether or not we are doing the right thing or making good decisions. When we are grounded in God, we know that we are on the right path… we are comfortable, confident, happy and grounded. We are firmly rooted, like a hundred-year-old tree… and God’s love and care hangs over us like a shady canopy of guidance.
You know how it is when you get somewhere and feel like you aren’t dressed appropriately. You probably also know the feeling that you are not quite “dressed right” with God. Both are lousy feelings! Every fashion expert tells us to fill our closet with “staples” that are good for any occasion... those that stand the test of time and serve as a foundation for other items and accessories. God’s wisdom and guidance is our “Spiritual staple.” When we start with His foundation – our “tree” has solid roots… and we are always on point and “in style.”
What’s in your “Spiritual closet” these days? Are you firmly rooted in God? Does His wisdom and care cover you like the canopy of a shade tree? Or are you often insecure and uncertain about your choices and behaviors? This is the perfect time to recommit to GOD… to follow Him and listen for His guidance. Let the Psalms be a good source of information and encouragement to help you stay deeply rooted. Don’t waste another minute… fill your “spiritual closet” with solid basics today… and feel the confidence that God can give you when you stay close to Him.
©2012 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment