Red Letter Christian

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Created on Thursday, 26 May 2011 11:50

God’s word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105 is a faithful reminder that we are called to stay hold the scriptures close to our heart. Reading God’s word is like eating of the best nutrition, but this verse shares it is our compass. It is a guide and a sure map of where our spiritual bearings are found.

I went on a hiking trip with my family. There were no signs on the trail, but since it was only a 1.5 mile round trip I assumed it would be easy enough. We were in the pines and aspens around 10,200 feet and I soon found myself unsure of where to go at our next crossroads. Some fellow hikers coming down the hill just said keep going straight up and you will get there. We walked on for a while and a lady with her dog that we met earlier was behind us. At the next crossroads we were unsure of where to turn so we waited for her. She looked up and said, “Oh, I was just following you guys. We took a wrong turn. Follow me.”

On the way back we did not have the luxury of her guidance. So, I took out my handy iphone and clicked on an app that showed us the way. It felt good to have the phone with the map laid out before me. I could see exactly where we were and where we were going through its satellite technology.

Scripture is our spiritual map app (so to speak). Are we in line with the heart of Christ? The Bible has an app for that J. What would Jesus do in our situation? Scripture can shine a light on that. What I find is that when I feel lost spiritually, when I feel like I have no idea where I am going or where God is I can often trace it back to a lack of knowing my spiritual map.

It’s nice to have a spiritual guide who will feed us but eventually we need to learn to feed from the green pastures that only Jesus our shepherd can provide. When there is no hiking friend to show the way it is good to know I have grown up enough to get the map out and look for myself.

Where our treasure is, there our heart is also.

When I was unsure of the way it was good that I already had downloaded an app on my phone and had become well versed in the way that it worked. Matthew 6:21 tells us that our treasure is the best indicator of where our heart is. The path that leads nowhere is centered in self. It takes us down some adventurous journeys but in the end it is just a loop that comes back to me. Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s handiwork prepared in advance to do great things, but that depends upon where our treasure is. The path that leads to great things (this is not prosperity talk by the way) is centered upon God. God has made himself known through Jesus Christ and Jesus is the Word (John 1:1). Our treasure as followers must be Jesus. Not sure where to go, what to do, what your attitude should be? Open his word and treasure them up in your heart. Start with the red letters!

Journey on…