Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (www.lifejournal.cc) was a very pivotal passage in the lives of the Israelites during the days of the Old Testament. He has continued to be crucial to the lives of Jews, well beyond those early days. It is called the Shema. Shema is the transliteration of the first word in verse four that is translated "hear". The passage speaks to the need of God's Word being first and foremost on our minds and in our lives every day. When I understood its significance (in seminary days), I began leaning on it heavily as well. I see it has a tremedous challenge and a constant reminder to let the main thing be the main thing every day in all I do. I am particularly challenged by the passage to parents, v.6- And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 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.
When do you have your time to talk about the Lord? You let Him penetrate into all your life. You keep Him front and center. You focus upon Him at the beginning of the day, you steady your mind on Him throughout the day, and you think of Him right before you drift off. It is not as much about legalistic practices as it is, as Paul says, having the mind of Christ. It is the makeup of the sanctification process, or the process that makes us more and more like Christ every day. Let's work today on remaining focused on God and the things of God throughout all the day from the time we rise to the time we lie down. Instead of constraining, I bet we find it refreshing. Enjoy!
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