Day Six (of 31 Days)

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. I Timothy 4:12-16

When I had just turned thirty, I was approached by my pastor's wife to be one of the teachers at our Ladies' Bible Study on Tuesday mornings. I was surprised and humbled that it would be offered to me. I taught the ladies, along with a few other women, for a few years and then I took some time off for homeschooling. I felt very inadequate during that time and knew that even though the Lord was using what I was teaching, I had so much more to learn. Eight years later, my eyes fill with tears as I look back at the unbelievable, and often, painful lessons I had to learn in the years that followed.

This Scripture, from I Timothy, speaks profoundly to me. Although I am not young, compared to some, the point of this passage for me is the urgency of keeping myself immersed in the Word and in applying it daily to my life. I'm thoroughly convicted particularly by this portion... "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them that your progress might be evident to all." Whoa. What do you think of that? Do you believe you will be different by the end of October? Obviously, the goal is to continually draw closer to God throughout our lifetime but, I'm expecting to be changed by His presence in this time set apart with you. Today, try to find some quiet time to seek His face. Have you ever laid prostrate before Him and honouring Him by focusing your thoughts on His majesty? I am loving this way of "entering His gates" before I pour out my heart's cry. I'd love to know how you are "drawing close".