Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 10:12 “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul.”

I am a fan of anything that keeps one organized!  Separating items keeps things neat and tidy.  I remember the cubby holes at the entrance of our children’s school rooms in France.  Everything had its place; hats, scarves, mittens, and shoes.  My daughter and her husband use a chic room divider that doubles as storage in much the same way.  Maybe it is a sub-conscious throwback to childhood days!

Putting things in separate compartments can carry over to how we view life.  There is the tendency to divide daily life into segments.  There is the work world, the social scene and the church life, to name a few.  We tend to be different people in different scenarios.  Sometimes it is even intentional.  One’s persona changes with one’s role.

The problem comes when we try to separate out the spiritual side of life.  It does not work.  It has been said that, “all ground is holy ground and every bush a burning bush.”  Our verse for today calls for all of our heart and all of our soul.  Loving Him and walking with Him touches every area of our lives.  I cannot put God in a small Sunday-only compartment if I am a true Christ follower.  He has the right to direct all parts of my life.  I do not even have the right to a “secret compartment!”  I have given Him my whole self.

My prayer today echos the lyrics of an old hymn: “Take myself and I will be; Ever, only, all for Thee.”

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)