micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

In youth group back in high school, we sang this verse. Back and forth, girls echoing the guys, singing truth to each other. I've known the verse for long time, but I'm just beginning to delve into what it actually means. Lately I've been reading a LOT, and feeling rather cowed by the immense wisdom of the collective world compared to my own meager, sorry thoughts. (Hence the lack of blogging...) Here are some things I've picked up along the way:

"Living justly" is a phrase which I'd never heard until recently but which is an increasingly effective way of expressing the concept. Another blog I peruse mentioned a fabulous book about just-living: The Better World Handbook. and while I'm only on page 15 I can already recommend it highly. Get it and read it. The authors (Jones, Haenfler, and Johnson) talk about the whys and hows of living right in simple, understandable, and practical terms.


I've begun to read gatheringinlight, a blog by a Quaker student at Fuller Thological Seminary. Some interesting stuff, including the following "living justly" themed items:

• Resources and Tips for Becoming Green and Protecting Our Environment
• How to Live Local: Creating your Two Mile Map
• This video, which parallels the lives of two kids who live under radically different circumstances:

I am continually confronted with the myriad ways my life does not line up with my confession of faith...and I so want to change that. It's hard, but that's no excuse. It gets discouraging to have a list of things I want to do and become, and then to watch myself walk in the ways of old, destructive habits. I have trouble staying motivated, even though I know it's worth all the effort I can muster. I would drop anything to help a friend in need... why then is it so difficult to drop anything to help fellow humans in general, and generations to come? Why is it so hard, even when I know it is would not only be obeying God, but showing my love for Him, and ultimately benefiting me physically, mentally, and spiritually?

I guess that's where the "walking humbly with your God" comes in. I cannot do it in my power. But He will not do it for me, either. It takes faith, but it also takes works. I need to step out in faith, and then I will find that His strength is enough. I want to see His kingdom come and His will be done--it will never happen globally until He returns, but as long as I am in His kingdom, I want to work for it.

My new prayer for myself is for discipline and motivation... Once again, for this moment. I have nothing to offer but myself, right now.

thankful

This morning I am overwhelmed by the ugly reality of sin in my life. Sometimes when I stumble and fall my mind races through the gospel: "You've fallen, but if you repent God will forgive you and restore you and nothing will stand between you and him. That is bliss. Worship." I end up not really dealing with the issues, because I know the end of the story.

My issue right now is with what I might call 'addictive' sin: after so much victory over it, I gave an inch and it took over again. I blame the behavior as if it was in control--actually, I'm the one that's chosen to give in to the impulses. I have sinned. And it is ugly, and I am wretched. And I can't stop--no matter how hard I try.

The problem with racing through the gospel so much, so often, every time this sin seems like it is becoming a habit, is that I start asking for God's true opinion of me and not actually believing it. I know he says that I am His, that I am forgiven, that I am a saint, that He loves me. But in my inner heart (fully revealed to Him, of course), I her "That's just fine, but you're going to fall again. You haven't truly repented because it's going to happen again. Maybe even today. Gotcha. So He can't really love you, because you haven't really repented."

THAT IS A LIE!

I have repented and I am free. God told me this morning, once again, that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come! I am in Christ. I haven't remained in Him, which is why I've fallen--but I am in Him now, and as long as I stay in Him NOW (this moment), I am a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. NO condemnation! NO CONDEMNATION!

Take that, Enemy.

All I owe was paid by Jesus. And that includes all my sin from before, and any atrocities I have yet to commit. It is somber, but it is glorious. And yes, it inspires worship. I have been contemplating how to say thank you... But God desires mercy, not sacrifice. The best worship I can give is just to remain in Christ. God has work for me to do, even this morning, and it's work I can't do in my own strength. So here we go. This morning, this moment, I'm just going to worship with a thankful heart and moment-by-moment faithfulness.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will turn back to you.

Save me from bloodguilt, O God,

the God who saves me,

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.