Friday 19 October 2018
Last May I wrote: “Life has taken such a drastic turn, yet, so much for the better. Never have I felt this kind of joy, calm and peace in my life. Never such contentment and serenity in being alone. I set out on what I thought was a “spiritual” journey with the desire to become a better human being, a better person”.
The focus of my desire led me to God and His ways. God is my anchor. My Faith and Hope are in Him. Having become a ‘reborn’ Christian, definitely the best part of the journey. Everything I think and do today is centered around the Lord (But trust me when I say, I stumble a lot).
I am discovering that the Bible is the best Handbook for learning how to live a life of honor, integrity and love; living righteously God’s way. From Abraham to Moses, King David to Proverbs, Prophets Zechariah, Jeremiah, Leviticus, all reveal a common thread “love and compassion; not evil or wickedness; Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Keep my decrees. Leviticus 19:18
“These are the things you are to do: Speak the Truth to each other, and render true and sound Judgement in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord. Zechariah 8:16-17
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things”. Philippians 4:8
Though it all reads easy, it is a most difficult task living it 24/7. At times, I am most frustrated and in pain that I cannot do what the Lord God wants me to do. Yet, when I am in the dumps about it, God lifts me up. Knowing I am human, a sinner at heart, I pray for patience. I pray for His strength, mercy and grace. Living righteously is a daunting task, a tall order but in the end, the rewards are eternal.
It is about changing my mindset, changing priorities from “me, things, money” or “earthly things”to “others are as important as I am”.
Who are those ‘others’? The answers are all found in the different chapters and verses in the Bible. Yes, it is my neighbor next door and my brothers and sisters in Christ but as important are those suffering in faraway places. The children, men and women living in poverty, victims of war, the orphaned and abused, the religiously persecuted – the list goes on.
For me, the Bible is the Book of Truth and instruction manual in living Righteously; God in the center and everything flows from Him. The Bible helps me in seeing it from God’s perspective and how He wants me to live it.
The best reminder to myself is “God is love and Light and everything else does not come from Him.
