This morning when I woke up I was greeted by the text of scripture found in Hebrews 10: 22-25. As is my habit, I began to look at it in various versions of the Bible. Words you see, fascinate me. I love what happens when I look at a text and begin to ask myself the 5 questions that I’ve taught my students to find out what the text is really saying to me.

1. Who’s talking?
2. Who are they talking to?
3. What does this say about God?
4. What does this say about me?
5. How will I apply what I now know?

As I read this text, here’s what I know: Paul is talking specifically to those Jews who have maintained their connections with their heritage and this has been the guidelines for all that they do. They are so tied to it, that they will forsake anything else. Accepting Jesus Christ as their High Priest is out of the question, but he, Paul, wants to challenge that belief. He spends most of the chapter challenging them to embrace Christ and the sacrifice offered to them and the benefits that will come through the acceptance of change.

What I know about God: He allows us to have the evidence before us and He gives us the freedom to choose. The acceptance is in our court. His sacrifice on Calvary seals that for mankind. No forcing, just choices based on facts.

What I know about me: I sometimes lead with fear when making a decision. It doesn’t matter what it is. I’ll choose to go with the decision that enables me to avoid the sick feeling in my stomach that is the result of making the perceived wrong decision. I’ve done this in most areas of my life for most of my life in every area that is except the acceptance of Christ. His promise in His Word is that “perfect love”, Christ Himself, “casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). My goal each day is to choose that “Perfect Love”, Christ, not my fears.

As with most, I’ve had some childhood traumas that have caused me to not trust my decision making. Trusting those who were there to care for me, but instead took advantage of my naivety leaving me to believe that I can’t really trust myself. I’ve had therapy, had close friends that I’ve talked to, but the most powerful things that I’ve done for myself has been to give Christ my fears. As we get to know each other, I’ll share my story, but for now, this has been the best decision. When I feel the fears coming on, I sometimes find myself wading deep in it before I remember, but I stop and give it back to Him in prayer and breathe. He calms me enough to have the conversation of what was my trigger and why to enable me to move from the preverbal ledge to a place of safety. I haven’t arrived, but I’m in a much better place than I was.

Ok, so now that I’ve touched the tip of the iceberg that is this text, what is the text saying? You cannot walk thought this life thinking that you have all of the answers. You’ve got to walk with those that are headed in the same direction. You don’t have to be in the same socioeconomic group, race or even profession, but you must have one thing in common, your core beliefs. This is a discussion in and of itself. When you’ve found this group, for me, I have several places, it’s my family, church family, and it’s my “family”, friends who are close as family, you must stay connected. You can’t go MIA for long periods of time without checking in. This is dangerous for all involved. It’s in this isolation that you lose connection, you find the loneliness that is overwhelming and you make poor decisions.

The Bible cautions out to seek Wisdom (the Person of Jesus Christ) and not lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). Our own understanding is temperamental. It relies on our feelings at the moment, circumstances at the moment and worst yet, our personal traumas. It is in these trusted circles that we strive to listen to those who’ve walked before us, beside us and behind us. We have to have those that will celebrate with us but also sharpen our views with meaningful conversation. I’m learning the art of listening more intentionally for the Voice of God in my every day experiences. Some days He’s silent, but others, it can feel like you’re “drinking from a hydrant” as my husband puts it.

How do I plan on applying what I’ve learned? I plan to be more intentional with my time with God. Being more intentional with my time in my safe places, my “Bethany spaces”. That’s all for now. What are some ways that you are intentional in growing?