Scripture memory

Scripture memory is one of those things that makes me laugh at Christians. First of all, we all know we should do this, but we don't. And strangely enough, we don't consider ourselves to be sinning that we don't (what is that verse in James which says "to him who knows what to do and does not do it, to him it is sin...?). (Either that, or we don't care that we're entrenched in laziness and sin for our lack of spiritual disciplines, maybe that's more it....). Like all sins, it has consequences. I'm not sure what the consequences of not memorizing scripture are, but I do know what some of the rewards for memorization are: a sharper mind, a closer walk with God, a more fruitful life, discernment, a greater understanding of scripture, a proper perspective, to name a few of the more obvious ones.

So maybe the consequences of not memorizing scripture are the lack of these things.

So then, when we decide to memorize scripture, we go about it in such an awkward way. We have all these Christian catch-phrases - things like "Christianity is relationship, not religion". Or, "Christianity is God reaching out to us, not us earning our way to God". Or, "It's about who you know, not what you've done". These are all true and right. Though works have their place and are rewarded in heaven (and on earth, by the way), what distinguishes Christianity is that it's core is about grace -- we don't earn our Eternal Life. It's all grace.

Then we go to memorize scripture. First, We're probably motivated by guilt or by some pastor's motivational speech, not by our honest assessment of the rewards that we will get from this discipline. Things attempted from guilt rarely stick for long. Then second, we forget all the beauty of our Lord and go straight for memorizing commands. Now, yes, all scripture is God breathed and valuable. This of course includes the commands. But in all honesty, it's far more important to understand and love who God is, than to have a grasp on various commands. We aren't motivated by lists of commands. We can't keep them (this was established back in the "we can't earn salvation" bit). And we never will keep them on our own. No, we're motivated by relationship. We need to know a God and be so enthralled with who He is that we want in every way possible to please Him. Then we can delight in realizing that He's even told us exactly how to please Him. What a great God!

(As a digression, this is one of the most beautiful things that I see in most oldest children, they desperately want to please their parents. Almost everything they do, they look for approval and a "wow, that's really neat" from Mom or Dad. They love to spend time with us parents, and they want to grow up to be just like us. Would that be the case if they didn't really know us, but just thought we were a list of rules? Not on your life. Our relationship with God is the same way).

A. W. Tozer, among his many great quotes, says "I believe there is scarcely an error in doctrine or a failure in applying Christian ethics that cannot be traced finally to imperfect and ignoble thoughts about God...." (The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer, Chapter 1. Someday I'll read that book).

I think that quote, besides being brilliant is so very right on the money. If we thought correctly about God, our doctrine would be right, and so would our application of that doctrine.

So, then, I propose that scripture memory should begin with meditating and memorizing those parts of scripture that are directly about who God is, and that lead us to right and noble thoughts of God. It makes sense to me. Does it make sense to you?

God notices...

I don't know if you've noticed, but I sure have: the job of a mother is generally thankless.

I can change diapers all day long, pick up toys every hour, wash the dishes, wash the clothes, run errands, and maybe even prepare dinner, all to have the work simply go by un-noticed. To make it worse, I have to do the same thing tomorrow - it's all been undone.

When my oldest was a baby, I maintained a count of the diapers I changed in a day. Not to keep track of whether or not my baby was healthy, but so that I could feel like I accomplished something in a day. Actually, not even that, it was my attempt to get appreciation for my efforts.

And while my husband is particularly sensitive and attentive to my needs, it seemed a bit silly to him to praise the number of diapers I'd changed in a day.

I was devastated. How could he not care that I'd changed fourteen (and counting) diapers in the past twenty hours?! It seems silly looking back, but it really was a big deal to me. (I was only slightly hormonal.)

That's why I'll never forget how I felt when I learned the comforting truth that God actually does notice and acknowledge just that.

Matthew 6 talks about how God discusses what we do in secret - whether it be giving, fasting or praying (or cleaning or changing diapers). It's those things that no one else notices that receive a special reward from God.

When I do an act in order to impress my husband that his loving and patient wife would clean the house three times in a day - that's the reward I get (or don't) -- the praise of my husband. When, instead, I have an attitude of gratefulness for all the wonderful things that God has given me, that are currently spread around the living room floor. I get the praise of God. Which is better?

Because God sees, I can relax rather than constantly seek affirmation from people. His watchful eyes free me to wash dishes in thankfulness for our abundance rather than grumble at the mess. They motivate me to work for approval and reward from God, not my family or my friends or even my boss at work.

What a satisfaction to know that these hours, days, and years are being spent in things that are noticed by and significant to God.