My sister thanked me and we ended the phone conversation. I marvel sometimes at how God brings his word before us when we need to hear it. The verse was a reminder to me on several levels. First, on a personal level, I have been VERY busy lately. I am in a full time graduate program with a busy practicum seeing therapy clients. I am a student worker 20 hours a week, a GA 10 hours a week, I have a part time job on 12 hours a week and I have a photography hobby/business on the side. Did I mention that I'm married with three kids? :-) Point is, although I try to read my bible and I'm moderately active at church, my daily living has edged out my daily devotion. When I read that verse, it was a kick in my spiritual pants, a reminder about livin' like crazy. God was reminding me that although in comparison to other Christians, I might be living a devoted life, God's standard is much higher. He wants all of me, 100% of the time. It is possible to be living the life that I've been living recently and still keep God in my center, but I've really let it slide. It is no wonder I feel burnt out and stressed this week.
Second, God was not just reminding the Israelites (and, by proxy, me) that he requires
John 10:10.
blessings,
jeff