“Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing  this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:15

Give Yourself Entirely

I was sitting with a group of friends the other day, and one person posed this question: “How many of you really get away with the Lord on a regular basis?”

The responses were varied. One person said she used to sit for hours each day, but she is in a season of life where she just doesn’t have time for that. Another person doesn’t feel called to it. One said she wishes she was drawn to do it, but she just isn’t. One doesn’t have time because the kids are distracting. One admitted that entertainment has become the go-to activity in downtime. Another said people who do this have been given a special gift. One said nothing at all.

Some responses were heartfelt, some were excuses, some were yearning. I’ve been in each of those situations. I get it. I know these people well, and I am sure that they have all walked in times of depth and intimacy with God, and also times of dryness and shallowness. Who hasn’t?

But God warns us not to let this slide—to not become apathetic about the things of the Kingdom. Today’s Scripture is just one of many exhortations. We are to meditate on His Word to the point where we give ourselves entirely to it. We are to take heed to ourselves, and to His doctrine.

What does it mean to take heed to myself? It means to examine myself, know my heart, check my thoughts. It means to take my spiritual temperature—and not just in an “I’m OK, you’re OK” kind of way. Think about it. Dig deep. Don’t rationalize. Find recent examples in your life that prove it to yourself.

In no way am I critiquing my friends’ commitments to the Lord, or sincerity, or Christian walk. I certainly don’t have the information or heart or perfect discernment to judge anything in their lives. I can only speak for myself: spending daily time alone with God and the Word has been a life-changing, renewing, intimate way to live.

Let me be clear: I don’t meet with God daily because I have to. I WANT to. I love to hear Him speak through His Word, to be breathless with wonder before Him, to realize His presence.

Are you dry? Distracted? Busy? Stuck? Unbelieving? Hurt? Angry? Far off from God? Is it time for personal revival? Give heed to yourself, and to the Word. Assume nothing. Take inventory, pursue God, ask His Spirit to create a passion for Him in you.

“Lord, revive us as we take heed to ourselves and Your Word. Help us make You our priority. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”