How is that for an interesting title? Without further explanation you may be wondering about a necklace, a tie, a scarf or maybe even a noose. relax, I am not referring to any of those. You may find it strange but I am actually talking about love and kindness. Do you wear your love and kindness around your neck? OK, so where did I get such a crazy idea? I am just the messenger. During my reading today, I started reading in Proverbs again. It has been some time since I read the book of Proverbs. I am never bored or inattentive when reading Proverbs. The words are so full of wisdom and insight! Are you having a daily quiet time? Are you working on your intimacy with God? The only way this can happen is by spending time with Him! Reading His word. Praying to Him. OK, rabbit trail...
Proverbs 3:3-4 says:
3Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Then you will favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
So, why in the world should we wear love and faithfulness around our neck? Well, it seems that if we wear it around our neck we will not forget it is there. How much easier it is to avoid anger and other unpleasant attitudes when we have our love and faithfulness around our necks to remind us to, well,... Love and be faithful. Not to mention, if we have our love and faithfulness on display, others will be able to see it in how we live and in how we interact with them. What a great witness for Christ! Loving others. Being a blessing. So, when you are at the grocery store, Wal-Mart, (even in the long line behind the customer that does not know how to use the self-serve scanner with a basket full of groceries) let your love and faithfulness shine!
I cannot tell you how often I allow petty and temporary circumstances to derail my love and faithfulness. So, as for today I am going to endeavor to keep my securely fastened around my neck. If doing it symbolically doesn't work I may try painting the words Love and Faithfulness on a big flat rock and hanging it around my neck as a reminder!
If you need some suggestions on how to start a daily quiet time, email me:
mlane@gccec.org
Waiting on Him,
ML
