Iāve been surrounded almost exclusively by Christians for the past five weeks. Not surprisingly, this is an atmosphere where āChristianeseā may freely flow. Terms like āa heart forā and āsavedā are tossed about without explanation because we all understand them.
In a similar vein, ālife versesā have come up many times. Iāve always thought that a funny term ā Iām 23 years old, and Iāve only been serious about Godās role in my life for 4.5 years. How do I choose a verse that describes my lifeās theme? Is that even important to me?
Probably not. I enjoy hearing what others consider their life verses, but Iāve had three different verses that have really hit home during this journey I call my āwalk with Christ.ā
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
The first couple of years that I spent growing in my Christian faith were filled with trials. Many of my high school friends were turning to me for advice on weighty problems. I spent my time trying to learn how a Christian life should look. In the midst of so much learning and change, this passage offered encouragement.
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. Psalm 27:4
As I graduated from college and sought new direction for my life, I questioned my priorities. What goals did I have for my life? What steps were necessary to achieve those ends? In processing through these questions, Psalm 27:4 gave me guidance. I didnāt know where I was going, but I knew that the ultimate purpose must be to know and glorify God, because that is why I was created.
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1
This verse seems to scream āCJ!ā far more than the others. I am at my most comfortable with a pen and pad of paper. Writing isnāt something I do just because I enjoy it; I am passionate about using what skill I have to encourage Christians and non-Christians alike. I donāt know that Iāll be employed by a Christian publication, but that circumstance is irrelevant to my goals. I want my words (both spoken and written) to edify readers, whether I write for Relevant, a Campus Crusade publication or Southern Living.
You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. Psalm 45:2
Whatās funny is that the lines following my ālife verseā are beautiful but distinctive in a completely different way. Verse one of this psalm calls to mind my lifeās goals, but verse two taps into a different desire: a husband.
Iād like to get married someday. Should that day come, I would love to recite these words to my husband. Surely heāll be the āmost excellent of menā in my eyes ā thatās why Iāll marry him, after all.
The idea of lips āanointed with grace,ā however, blows me away. Iām not sure what the author had in mind when penning this psalm, but to me they draw out a powerful image.
The man I imagine isnāt a wimp who is soft of speech and lacking confidence. Heās a man who is self-assured, not because heās got so much going for him (though he probably does), but because his worth is tied up in Jesus. Heās the same person regardless of circumstance.
That includes his relationships. Instead of mocking the girl who tries too hard or the guy who flirts with every girl, he embraces their contributions to the world.
Iāve learned that itās important to not only know my standards, but to become my standards. Am I the sort of woman that would attract the kind of man I desire? Moreover, am I bringing glory to God?
This idea has resurfaced many times lately, particularly regarding speech. I try to be an uplifting influence, but I often pepper my speech with sarcasm or crass words. A friend informed me recently that itās not ladylike to say things like ābutt load.ā While I think he was mostly kidding, he has a point. My purpose isnāt to impress boys, and butt load may not be derogatory to God ā but is it edifying?
Romans 12:1 instructs us to be ātransformed by the renewing of your minds.ā The Christian bubble in which I dwell may not represent āreal life,ā but it is serving as an incubator for these thoughts. August 14 may find me a changed person.