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“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
I used to listen to a group called the Maranatha Singers, back in the ’80’s when Christian Contemporary music was just about to be born and everyone was still listening to the Gaithers and Evie. Anyone remember Evie? “I’m only four foot eleven, but I’m goin’ to heaven and that makes me feel ten feet tall”? No? I am rea-lllly dating myself here, I know.
Anyhow, the Maranatha Singers had a rendition of Micah 6:8 and every time I read this verse I hear the chorus in my head:
“But to do just-ly (but to do just-ly),
And to love mer-cy (and to love mer-cy),
And to walk hum-bly wi-th thy God.”
{Look it up, it’s on You Tube!}
But what does it mean? I think The Message explains it well:
1. Do what is fair and just to your neighbor.
2. Be compassionate and loyal in your love.
3. Don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously.
Three things. And if you think about it, if everyone observed these three things, this old world would be a lot more harmonious place to live.
Three sets of people to deal with:
* My neighbor (in other words, anyone – be fair)
* My family and close friends (show compassion and loyalty)
* Myself (don’t focus on me constantly – instead focus on God)
Am I fair and kind to the every day people I come in contact with?
Do I hold me spouse and my children close, am I loyal and compassionate with them?
Do I spend time every day praising God and focusing on serving Him?
Or is it all about me?
Ouch.
Isn’t it so easy to get caught in the trap of taking yourself too seriously? Thinking and overthinking, analyzing situations and judging motives, playing out scenarios and selfishly rehashing how all of it ultimately affects us?
I don’t want to be that person.
If I could wager a guess, I’d say you don’t either. None of us willingly wants to be that person – we just sort of fall into that trap in our thought life.
Let’s commit this day to nipping those thoughts in the bud as soon as they arise, and replacing them with a quick prayer for strength to think the truth, and then pray for others. Often, as we pray for others, practical things come to mind that we can do for them.
And that’s where the fairness, compassion, and loyalty will come in.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
Linking up with:
Wise woman link up, #Dance with Jesus link up
Some of my well read verses here Ruthie. Since becoming a blogger (January '15) I've had a real struggle with this very topic. I've realized two things since blogging, that people are much more self-centered than I realized (I didn't think I lived in a bubble) and for the most part, it is all about them, you, us! I suppose that is not a bad thing per se, yet my Christian teachings tell me otherwise, not to focus on self so much. Very hard when blogging to separate the two. Do you find you struggle with this too?
Hi Michelle! Thanks for stopping by! YES. You hit the nail right on the head. It can be a real challenge not to focus on myself and my writings and instead calm down and listen to the heart of the person I'm reading. But I've found through doing this that there are many godly women out there willing to share and support! I find the Christ centered websites are more my go to now, and that helps. Hang in there, you can do this!
I love this! What a lesson. . . and how many *offenses* I would let roll off my back if I could take my own self less seriously.
P.S. And I remember Evie on my mother-in-law's 8 track tapes in the station wagon when my husband picked my up for dates! Ha! How's that? ;)
Exactly! So many little things encountered during each day that we should just "let go" but we often cannot see past ourselves.
You remember Evie 8-tracks – YES!! Haha that's awesome! Dating in a station wagon with Evie on 8-track. Now you're talking my language!
Thanks for visiting, Lisa!
I take myself far too seriously. Thank you for this important reminder of who I need to be more serious about. Taking the focus off of ourselves is truly one of the best ways to find peace.
On the music topic, back in the 80s, I was listening to big-haired, leather wearing bands :). That was sadly long before Christianity and beautiful worship music entered my life. Thankfully that's all I listen to these days. It really changes my attitude and focus.
When you said, "Isn't it so easy to get caught in the trap of taking yourself too seriously? Thinking and overthinking, analyzing situations and judging motives, playing out scenarios and selfishly rehashing how all of it ultimately affects us?" I felt the deep ouch of conviction. Time to lighten up and trust God with all the process. Visiting from Grace and Truth today!
It's so easy for us to do! And so hard to lighten up at times. But God's lens of perspective is the best focus we can have!
Thanks for your encouraging comment!
My church still sings that song with the kids! I really like your calling us to not take ourselves too seriously! Such great advice! We need to be gracious to all in our lives…including ourselves!
Good point, Amy. If God can love and accept us, we need to do the same for ourselves – as in forgetting those things which are behind and moving on. Grace, and focus on Christ and others will accomplish much!
Thanks for visiting!
I just clicked over from #livefreeThursday. This is my challenge for today – to replace my thoughts with prayers! Thank you for your words!
I used to really struggle with taking myself too seriously, and then God gave me five kids. What a sweet dose of humility! Now I'm in a season where it is pretty easy to see that it is only our Maker holding everything together and obviously not me!
Hello and thank you for stopping by! I pray that you will be able to carry that out today – and every day! So glad you were encouraged. :)
Yeah, that'll do it! God gave me four – wow that showed me! Having a large family definitely brings you to your knees! God has a way of giving us just what we need to teach us lessons we must learn. Thanks for reading!
Food for thought! And trust me, you are definitely not alone in this.
Thanks for reading! Yes, it's a problem. Glad I'm not alone.
I am others centered not me centered but I am way too serious too often. In my quest to meet everyone's needs (family, church, friends, community) I execute meeting needs with military discipline leaving little room for fun. Well, I've declared this a summer of fun for my family, so let the fun begin. Thanks for the post. Happy to be visiting from Dance with Jesus.
I hope you are able to do that, Tyra, because it is necessary to "come apart" before you come apart! Have fun and enjoy your family this summer! Thanks for visiting!
I love those verses. It reminded me of a song my dad used to sing, too. What a great verse!
I agree that if everyone on the planet followed those three things, we would ALL be better off!!
Thanks for sharing!
Dana, thanks for reading and commenting! I love this passage too. Your dad sang a song about it? Wonder if it was the same one. Have a great weekend!
This is a great post – I have been told I take myself too seriously sometimes I thought that meant I had to be silly. I love this idea much better taking the focus from me to God and taking him seriously – real encouragement and well written thank you :)
I've been told that before too, Tania. I've worked my whole life to correct it but I slip up once in a while! God can do anything though, and He can change us from the inside out, and He has come a long way with me! I'm glad you were encouraged, thank you for your kind words!
Candace, looking back over my comments I just realized I never responded to this and I thought I had. I'm so sorry! And yes, Christian music is so uplifting and edifying! :)