Proverbs 7: 1-3My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands.Keep my commands and live;protect my teachings as the pupil of your eye.Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
Why is it that I can remember lines of dialogue from films I haven’t seen for years, but not remember God’s word?
Why is it that I can sing along perfectly to songs that were popular in the 1990s but not remember God’s word?
Why is it that I can tell you with certainty which season a particular episode of the West Wing took place in (The Supremes – Season 5), but not remember God’s word?
It is because I haven’t treasured God’s commands as much as I’ve treasured watching my favourite movies?
Is it because I haven’t protected God’s teachings as much as I’ve treasured reliving memories from my youth?
It is because I haven’t written God’s teachings on my heart as much as I have the teachings of Aaron Sorkin and the writers of the West Wing?
None of this has been deliberate on my part. I’ve just been a passive consumer of culture, someone who loves music, movies and TV. And these things can be great blessings, and enjoyable ways to spend my time.
But have I been giving as much of my time and attention to the truths of God’s word? Do I really believe as this verse says that God’s commands will give me life?
The good news of Jesus tells me that I’m not right with God by keeping his commands, but by trusting in Jesus death in my place. But there’s another part of the good news that sometimes I overlook. In John 10:10, Jesus says
A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
God’s commands are the best way to live. Much better than any message from TV, movies and music. Do I really believe that? Do you?
A Woman of The Word 