The Plumbline

Success is the sum of small efforts - repeated day in and day out. (Robert Collier) So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (I Corinthians 15:58 NLT) Consistency in following Jesus is our goal. We don't do this with the greatest of ease, do we? We have these little fits and starts that keep us moving forward at a snail's pace sometimes. It is that 'sporadic' on again - off again walk that makes it seem like it is impossible to actually get anywhere in this spiritual walk. We might want to rethink that, though. Jesus might like to see our consistency, but he can definitely work with our 'sporadic' fits and starts! While the goal is to be strong and immovable, always 'spot on' in our commitment, we need not be down on ourselves when we find ourselves growing a little 'cold' in our commitments to prayer, worship, or even study...

The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light; Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike). (Psalm 119:130) If you have ever tried to really 'get into' God's Word, only to find yourself in a little over your head when it comes to understanding what is being said, then you are not alone. The 'understanding' of God's Word seems to come in 'bits and spurts', doesn't it? I think that may be because God knows if we understood it all at one time, we'd be either so overwhelmed, or we'd forget just about everything we were shown in rather short order. Childlike faith is actually encouraged throughout scripture, with Jesus even telling his disciples the children should never be discouraged from coming to him. Why? A child's mind is curious - it loves to explore. It is open to being taught. Why do you think we start elementary school at an early age? It is because the ability to 'critically think' doesn't really s...