10 Action Steps...Again

This week's memory verse:
"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

I actually read today's Bible study lesson last month and wrote a blog posting about it. I got several comments about what I said about a different way of looking at the 10 Commandments. I am going to repost that part here today.

As a kid, I always thought of the 10 commandments as the "you shall not" list...a list of things I shouldn't do. But really look at the list that Moses brought down from God...put it in a different context...things you SHOULD do...or a list of I WILL...

1. I will honor only one God.
2. I will worship God only instead of idols I build up for myself.
3. I will only speak the name of God in worship and praise.
4. I will remember what the Sabbath is all about and honor it  with worship and rest.
5. I will honor my mother and father.
6. I will honor life itself...my own life and the lives of others
7. I will honor my marriage vows and stay true to my mate
8. I will keep only what is mine
9. I will tell the truth 
10. I will be content with what I have instead of wanting what others have.

Thinking of God's laws or commands in this way makes them easier for me to understand and do. It's like "living justly" is my mission statement for my life and these are the 10 action steps that will get me there.

When I eat too much, eat the wrong things, don't exercise and let my body get more and more out of shape, I am NOT giving glory to God. I am in a sense going against some of those action steps...making food an idol and NOT honoring my life! I am making my life more about me than about God. God wants us to make our lives about him...focused on him and living justly because he knows we will be healthier, happier and better off when we do! I wonder why that is so hard for us to accept?

God wants a close relationship with us and wants us to live in healthy ways...it's more than the diet plans, food trackers and weigh-ins. Anything you do, or fail to do, that hinders your relationship with God wages war with your soul and keeps you down. If I continue overeating, not exercising, overspend, get deeper in debt...the guilt of doing those things and the natural consequences of those things weigh me down, zap my strength and take my focus off God...the one who WANTS me free of those things!

I thank God that he has shown me what is good and what he desires from me through his commands. I want to do a better job of following those action steps so I can please God in everything I say and do...when I do, the natural consequence of my actions will be a happier and healthier me, free of guilt and the burdens of my bad choices. Living that way is not easy...but we are not alone. We have Jesus in our lives as our helper. Join me in this journey...ask Jesus to help you in your action steps. Make a commitment today to act justly- to do what is right, what is good, and what leads to a happier and healthier life.