Smarty Pants
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:22-27
Insight
My parents have jumped headfirst into retirement. From traveling all over the place to trying out new hobbies, they truly are living their "best life yet." These social butterflies are thriving. Every day is an adventure for them, thanks to the calendar they got for Christmas. They attempt to celebrate every weird holiday in the books, no matter how odd.
But, the activity that's garnered most of their attention is trivia night. Every Tuesday, they meet up with their buddies and head to Buffalo Wild Wings to test their mental muscles. They're a wealth of random knowledge. I'm tempted to use the word useless, but their smarty-pants have paid for appetizers on more than one occasion.
When it comes to faith and our relationship with Christ, we are often guilty of mistaking trivia for depth.
Pursuing religious credibility is a cheap substitute for a deep relationship with God, but it is incredibly easy for one to fall into this mindset. What we need to understand is that knowing about God is not the same as knowing God. Knowledge without application is deception. Depth is not revealed in our knowledge alone but rather our response to that knowledge. Our activity shows our faith.
The Bible is not a tool to sharpen religious competence, but it is living and active. Scripture divides, separates, clarifies, and judges. It helps frame a way for us to see the world from a proper perspective and our role within it. We hide God's Word in our hearts not to impress others or win a bar bet.
We meditate on Scripture so we can walk according to God's ways, and our lives will reflect the heart of God. We read submissively and relationally to love freely. God speaks to us to draw us toward Him. He desires transformation in our lives based on intimacy in our relationship.
Reflection
How can you put into practice the things God has placed on your heart recently?
Where is your head knowledge of God not making an appearance in the way you live your life?
Prayer
God, I don't want knowledge of You. Instead, I want to know Your heart. I desire a type of depth in my relationship with You that would cause a change in my character. I yearn to learn more about You to trust and obey. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.