Flourish: Month One

 

I mentioned earlier this week that I have a mentor through church. She is incredible, and wise, and so clearly hand picked by God to be part of my life. The mentorship program I am participating in is called Flourish: Rooted To Believe.  For January and February our focus is on God's story. We're reading The Story, which is the Bible written into more of a novel. So far it's been great, and is helping me continue to work towards my goal of reading through the Bible in a year!

We've also been reading through Psalm 119 (which is the longest of all the Psalms). Over the last month we have really dug into the first half of Psalm 119, and I cannot get over how much goodness I'm getting out of it. I've never really had guidance on how to just dig into scripture, and spend a whole week meditating on a set of verses, and this time has been radically changing how I approach scripture.  Each time I come back to the week's verses, I feel like I see something new, or understand something a little better.

The best part is, on Friday's all the women participating in the Flourish program instagram a verse, or summary, from the week with the hashtag #Flourish2015. I feel like each week almost the whole passage is represented; it's really interesting to see how God's word speaks to each of us on such an individual basis.

Over the last month, these are the verses that have most struck me:

"I have hidden Your word in my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands." - Psalm 119:10 

What a great opening passage for the year. This passage has become one that I keep going back to; it's such a great reminder that we are not just supposed to read scripture, but know it. Know it so well that it becomes a part of us, buried in our hearts. When I'm tired, and find myself just going through the motions of reading the Bible, this is the verse I come back to to center myself.

"I am a stranger on earth, do not hide Your commands from me." - Psalm 119:19

I love this verse; I love the truth it speaks, that earth is my temporary home. The reminder that Heaven is my true and forever home. Heaven is the place where I am not a stranger. That Heaven is better because I am not a stranger there. This verse challenges me to stop focusing so much on the things of this world, and to fix my eyes on my God who knows me wholly. What a great reminder that I have never been, and will never be, a stranger to my God.

"I will walk around in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts." - Psalm 119:45

God does not want us to be enslaved to anything; with Him there is freedom. His commands do not chain us down. Instead, they set us free. So why do I keep making myself a slave to things that don't matter when my God has already set me free?

"Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth and it endures." - Psalm 119: 89-90

God's word and works will stand the test of time. He, and by extension, His word are sturdy. He is trustworthy. He will always be faithful. To the very end.