Oh, I wonder as I wander...

Hey all...sorry for the delayed post (busy day!).

I read Deuteronomy 4-5.

Short, yes, but this is where we get into the nitty-gritty of God's commandment. 10 of them to be more precise. But before we get to the obvious, Moses has some other important things to say:

"Just make sure you stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don't forget anything of what you've seen. Don't let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Teach what you've seen and heard to your children and grandchildren."

This passage could easily be found under "Rules for a Youth Worker 101" or some other title at Borders. Read the passage again. The obvious connection comes from Matthew 26, where Jesus asks the disciples to keep alert while in Gethsemane. Or really, any time that Jesus talked to...well, anyone.

This quote could very well have been said to any one of us a week ago. It's unfortunately timeless. I say unfortunately because it means we haven't gotten it yet. Like all of us at the dlog have talked about recently, we continue to turn against God, even mere moments after He has shown His love for us.

I particularly like the line "Don't let your heart wander off." How accurate. When we sin as Christians, we are letting our hearts get away from their true passion, while they search for alternatives.

Well, this section also contains the ten commandments. Simple enough. But truly look over them Chapter 5:7-21. How many of us can get through the whole list without an issue? (If you think you have, go back to the bit about coveting, or honoring your parents, or keeping the Sabbath)

So, even though we all know these simple ideas and say that we strive to follow God's commands, we can't seem to keep even basic rules. (btw, "rules" is used here, not to designate what we can't do, but more to show what we should do in order to honor God)

What are our excuses? Why do we continue to let our heart "wander off"?

At the end of this section, Moses tells the Israelites, "So be very careful to act exactly as God commands you. Don't veer off to the right or the left. Walk straight down the road God commands so that you'll have a good life and live a long time in the land that you're about to possess."

God said it (and we know how powerful his words can be..."let there be..."). We know it. Let's do it.