The Day 3: The Colors of Love

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Do you realize the significance of this?!!! These colors and the covenant! How awesome is our God! One thing I love most about studying Scripture is when truth is opened up--it truly blossoms like a beautiful flower in my heart! Studying the context of the when these things were written, knowing who the authors were writing to and what they would have understood as readers (or listeners) is key to understanding all that Scripture has for us. The principles are timeless, but the context is essential for understanding those principles.... All that to say, learning about David and Jonathan today was amazing! Their friendship alone is something to admire, and to know the significance of the covenant that Jonathan initiated literally brought me to tears this morning. Let's think about this for a minute.... By the world's standards, Jonathan was in line for the throne. What man would turn that down? It's very prevalent in our culture, this idea of "I deserve this," or "It's my right!" How many of us truly put others first or the Kingdom first, for that matter? We are bombarded with the notion that we have rights--a right to vote, a right to choose life, a right to stand up to those that hurt us, a right to good customer service, a right to have lots of choices, a right to blah, blah, blah... and so on and so forth!.... Now, not all of these are necessarily bad, and I am confident each of has a different opinion about these things! But I will say this, Christ has something different to say about us having rights! In surrender, you give up your rights!! But He also tells us that in doing so, we experience true freedom--freedom from sin, freedom from worry, freedom from our past, freedom from the world and it's standards!!! Doesn't that sound SO much better than having rights?!!!

Another point in today's study was about renewing our minds. I want to give a little testimony about this very thing.... This past week has been crazier than most for my family! I'm not sure if I was gearing up for my husband to be away for 10 days (he left just yesterday), and being busy is my way of "dealing." Or if it was just a busy week. But lastnight, as I was winding down, the kids asleep, I began thinking about today. I knew there were some things I wanted to get done around the house and there were things I would like to go out and do as well. But I felt so tired, and something inside of me was saying, "Just relax. Don't do too much!" I knew we needed a day at home, to just be together and enjoy each other! The past several days have had little routine, and we are all tired! Knowing that I was tired and that today could potentially be a blowing point if I wasn't careful, I decided that this morning we weren't going to do a thing! From the minute I woke up, I was going to be cheerful with my children, I wasn't going to say "no" unless it would hurt them or make a HUGE mess (in which case I would give them an alternative), and we weren't going ANYWHERE!!! I would get to my Bible study when the timing was right, and my kids were not going to feel neglected by me this morning. I believe this is part of renewing our minds! Now, I could be sulking today because I'm tired and my husband is gone (and it's just the beginning!) I could be whining that my house and my car need cleaned and I don't have the energy to do either one right now! But instead, I've chosen, key word I believe, to be a cheerful, loving mama this morning! And looky there, it's about 10 am, and I've already done my Bible study this morning!

Sometimes I think we forget we have a choice because we're too busy worrying about our rights! In our culture, I suppose we have the luxury (or should I say the misery) of doing that, I suppose. Does this resonate with anyone else? We are children of the Most High God, at all times. We have been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord. He has taken our sinful clothing off--the red stuff--and has covered us with righteousness and fine linen! He is our covenant partner! He has done this not because of who we are or what we do, but out of the pure, great and mighty love He has for us!

What are specific ways in your own life that you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind (especially), and strength? How can you renew your mind for His glory today? What do you think about Jesus being our covenant partner?