Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good morning, special ones.
It feels like it’s already been a full day. And there’s more to come. I see rain out this window that is not very inviting for firing up the mill. But who said anything about invitations?
May your day be more than just run of the mill.
Love, Dad/Ray.
Security systems are widely-used to protect valuable space, people, and property. They range from a lock on a door, to a loaded gun, to a sophisticated composition of electronic technology. Everyone who seeks a security system is painfully aware that what they have is something that some corrupt people will want bad enough to take if they can. A security system simply increases the level of difficulty for corrupt minds to rip off one’s valuables.
Hopefully, you will not have any hesitation to agree with these basis ideas:
- GOD IS REAL.
- GOD IS SOVEREIGN.
- RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM IS OF HIGHEST VALUE—WAY BEYOND ANYTHING MONEY CAN BUY.
If you agree, then you will also agree that these valuables should be protected. To be sure, you and I are surrounded with enemy agents who will do everything possible to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10) these valuables. So what is the most effective security system available to us? My best answer—PASSION—a PASSIONATE HEART AFTER GOD. Anything less will leave us vulnerable to loss.
Consider what is being said and Who is speaking in the FOCUS VERSE above. It’s God expressing His own PASSION. It only makes sense that if we can embrace His PASSION so that it becomes our PASSION, we will have winning PASSION—a commodity more valuable than anything else on planet earth. Is this not the message of Romans 12:11? “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Consider again the COMMAND to PASSION contained in this reading. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our god, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (6:4-5).