Monday, March 2, 2009

How Careful Are We?

I selected a new verse to memorize today. I didn't have to think about it, or pray about it. It was one of those verses God gave me. Yep, He just handed it to me today and said, "Here, this is yours."

Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16

EVIL?

Hmmm.

I have thought about this since this morning when God so gently suggested that I memorize it.

Thoughts of how I have lived my life so far - careful or careless? Sadly, not as careful as I would have liked. For every step I have made, there was an opportunity for something good or something bad to happen. The apostle Paul says in this verse, "Be VERY careful...." It sounds like a warning to me, screaming like a big flashing yellow light, "CAUTION!" How many times have I just taken the next step without thinking of how it would affect me, or others, or especially "What is God's desire for me here?"

Realization came heavy for me today that every step should be taken with a serious amount of precision. There are consequences for taking the wrong step. Boy, have I learned that one the hard way. "The days are evil" does not sound like a petty threat to me. There are traps and landmines and pitfalls ready to swallow me whole if I make a move without careful thought and God's direction.

I pray that I will learn how better to make the most of every opportunity, that fewer of those opportunities will be lost to not having taken them at all. And my goal? To avoid making unwise choices where my foot is planted in the wrong place!

And I thought it was just a short little verse that might be easy to memorize...maybe so...but it will take the rest of my life to live it out.

Being careful, very careful,
~Liz

6 comments:

pam said...

that one gave me the shivers...my brain just doesn't memorize like it used to but I'm still stirring them around. Hope your week is going well!

Stacy said...

Isn't it amazing how so few words can have such a deep impact. Making the most of every opportunity has been a very impressing theme on my heart lately. Thank you for sharing your words.

Paula V said...

I love this: "And I thought it might be a short little verse that might be easy to memorize."

Some of the shortest verses can be the most convicting and hardest commands for us.

Love the application and how God transformed your desire/motivation to memorize a short quick verse into a larger lesson of application.

Cindy said...

This is so true and I know I sometimes forget to be more careful. I needed this reminder so thank you!

Lelia Chealey said...

Amen sista!! I'm with you on the "rest of my life to live out part". Tough isn't it?
Love ya,
LC

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