When I was about six or seven, there were several nights at dinner when my Dad would have my brother and I read from The Book of Virtues by William Bennet. This was an attempt by my father at trying to instill values and principles in us. The routine lasted for only a few months before our schedules became too busy to continue. This may have been the experience that we had as a child, in which your parents had some forum, such as dinner, to pass on wisdom and knowledge to you.  Or as a parent you may have times set aside for you family to have a daily dose of God’s word. We want to have God’s values in our hearts but our best intentions get lost in the business of our lives.

God however, views our commitment to his words seriously. In Deuteronomy chapter six he says through Moses, “Always remember these commands I give you today. Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

David talked about God’s word like this, “Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). When David penned these words he was speaking from experience. He knew that throughout his life the word of God had guided his steps and thoughts. He also knew that when the way seems dark our knowledge and reading of the word has a profound impact on our course. Why then is it so difficult for us to have this practice in our own life? Getting into the Word is one area that we can really excel at, when we make the decision to do it.

One of the reasons why we often struggle at getting into the word on a regular basis (I know that I do) is because it is not something that was instilled in us when we were growing up. As a child and as a teenager I knew the importance of the Bible, but I often did not see its role in my daily routine, as I should, despite my father’s encouragement. I knew that I was expected to know the Word, but practically I lived as if the Bible is really nothing more than a bunch of stories.

In an effort to instill kingdom values in our lives and the lives of our children we need to continue to be proactive about giving ourselves a reminder of God’s word everyday. God knew this would be a struggle for us. This is why he told his people to talk about them all the time. Without that constant reminder of the heart of God, it is easy for our thoughts to become overwhelmed with the immediate situations facing us.

This last week the daily devo readings that I have been doing with my youth group was about worry. The idea that we get so many things in the way of focusing on who God is and what he is about that we become frightened about the future and what will happen in certain situations or relationships. During our discussion last night someone brought up a good point. Isn’t worrying really that we get so caught up in ourselves that we forget who God is. God is all powerful and mighty and formed the the planets at a spoken word. And yet we often feel like he is distant and doesn’t care.

This idea of worry could not have come at a better time, because it has been on my mind recently. I have been wondering if God could pick anything for me to be doing right now would he have me be doing this. With friends and family all over the place, is there some where that I would feel more at peace, more at home, just somewhere I would feel more…

Then I realized that anything else for me right now would be too easy. Now I am sure that you are thinking, “Aaron, don’t you want to have an easy job?” In almost every situation I would say yes. But following Christ is not easy, serving him is not easy, and doing his will is not easy. I feel that God is calling me to the difficult, to the time consuming and the stressful. If I feel like I should be off somewhere else traveling the world, it’s because my heart is longing to be home, with my creator.

I do hope that I never get too comfortable with what I do, to the point where when I feel God leading me that I can’t move. But right now I need to become more comfortable with casting my worries and anxieties on Him.

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

Peace