Start Here, Only Here … Really!

S - Psalm 128:1 (NIV): "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways."

O - This opening line in a song of ascents is direct.  The words are clear and the instruction is not complicated.  However, the history of the human race confirms that we are very capable of creating entangled complications which can allow an individual or group to think they are doing the will of God while they are actually working directly against it (e.g. the Pharisees and Sabbath). The fear of the Lord, the blessings of the Lord, the truth of the Lord, the ways of the Lord all start at the same place and must be kept in the context of that starting place.  Where does it all begin? Love! The greatest commandments, the reason for Jesus coming, the written voice of God, the speaking voice of God and every other reality of his person and his activities all start with love.  If anyone (person, group, tribe or nation) starts at a different spot (e.g. information, other instructions, etc.) or drifts from the context of love the complications, misperceptions and self-deceptions of earth encroach and warp it all. All the law and prophets hang on love.  Jesus says to us all "Do this [i.e. live out loud the superlatives] and you will live."

A - Culture/religion, all culture and religion including my own, are always pressing for me/us to start at a place different than love.  Right or wrong, how something appears, personal safety and success, logical yet flawed thinking, stewardship are all consistently put ahead of love for "obvious reasons".  Yet, what is primarily obvious is the Lord's insistence that I/we always start at love and make sure that love remains the context for all.  Religion and logic don't mind love being on the "list of acceptable behaviors" but in the press of the other cultural demands love moves down the list and gives way to "another." My answer by life, attitude, action and word must be Jesus is love, God is love and there is no other! Today my assignment in being near and staying near begins at and continues in the greatest of these … love!

P - Lord who is love,

Today you will be relentless in your love for me and for all.  I welcome you and your love to do everything you desire and intend; even if I don't like it or understand it.  I ask that your love and life will flow into me and out of me.  Lord, today is your day and I want to follow, be with and work with you.  I can't do this on my own and don't want to.  Lord, I choose you back and I choose to start at love come what may.

Steve