Reaching Higher: A Series on My Journey of Discipleship
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
(Use the link below to read the verses.)
[Preface: This series is autobiographical
to the extent that it is loosely based on my spiritual journey. In some ways,
you could compare it to the stock market with a gradual overall increase, but
many ups and downs; even a crash or two. Through it all though, the Lord has
loved me and been with me the whole time. I hope you find my journey
encouraging, but also, that the Lord might speak to you through it.]
The job of a
parent is to prepare their children to go on a journey... the journey of life.
Growing up is a
series of learning experiences for children. You start with some basic rules to
give them boundaries. “No, Joey. Don’t do that.” As a result, they learn what
is expected of them; what is right and what is wrong. Hopefully they learn what
the rules are in order to become a self-sufficient, successful adult.
In Deuteronomy 5, Moses
summoned the entire nation of Israel to present the Ten Commandments to them. Like
a parent, he was preparing them for a journey; he was preparing them to possess
the Promised Land; he was preparing them to live on their own while facing the
trials and temptations of life in a foreign land.
“These are the commands, decrees, and
regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey
them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, 2 and you
and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you
live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. NLT
My Mom and Dad loved
me and did their best in raising me. They made sure that I said my prayers
every night; they made sure that I went to church every week; they made sure
that I attended youth group and church summer camp. I learned well how to obey
the “rules of church”. That was the start of my spiritual journey.
Fortunately, the
Lord meets us where we’re at. If the extent of your spiritual journey is
obeying rules; then he’ll meet you there. All he asks for, is a mustard seed
size of faith to work with.
The Pharisees and
religious leaders were always trying to trap Jesus into saying something that
he shouldn’t. One time they asked him what was the greatest commandment. Jesus,
being well versed in the Old Testament, quoted these verses from Deuteronomy.
5 And
you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all
your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly
to these commands that I am giving you today. NLT
When I was a
child, it was more about obeying the rules of my parents than “loving the Lord your God”. But as I
grew older, my faith became my own.
As a result, it wasn’t about rules; it was
about a relationship. A loving relationship that I daily commit to
wholeheartedly. One that I’m all in for.
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