Dear Church of the Open Bible,
It’s Stampede time. Slower speed limits, longer lineups, and lots of cowboys. Well, maybe there is a bit of a spectrum when it comes to applying the label of “cowboy” or “cowgirl.” It’s one thing to own a hat, some boots, and a buckle, and it’s quite another thing to own a horse, rope a steer, and spend most of your year in a barn or corral. While I don’t even qualify for the first conditions, I am fascinated by people deeply passionate and committed to a particular way of life. If you get the chance to take in more than just the midway this week, you’ll get a glimpse of those who eat, breathe, and sleep rodeo. It permeates their whole lives.
I was reminded of this as we looked at Deuteronomy 6 last Sunday. There is something that should characterize God’s people as they seek to respond to His grace with wholehearted love.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. - Deut 6:6-9
I love this description of God’s people as being those who eat, breathe, and sleep His Word. It permeates their whole lives. The part of my body I see the most is my hands. So when I look at them, I should see them doing what is found in God’s Word. The part of my body you see most is my face. So when you look at me, my expression should reflect what is found in God’s Word. But if I am not regularly exposing myself to His Word, how could I do or reflect it in my life?
Let me encourage you to love God by committing to His Word this summer. Begin by praying for the Spirit to write His Word on your heart and then schedule time to read or listen to it regularly. You can even invite someone else to join you and hold you accountable. It’s one thing to own a Bible but it’s quite another to allow it to permeate and shape your life.