Lining Up…Settles Me Down

One of the coolest things about my life, is that it changes constantly. One of the hardest things about my life, is that it changes constantly!

As a boater, I appreciate how on any given day, a body of water can be a still as glass,  then develop gentle waves and then suddenly whip up a storm that rocks everything. (One time those sudden stormy waves caused my cantaloup to roll off the counter and explode on the floor! That is just how life is sometimes…the sudden storms can cause some mess…in our minds, our emotions, in our hearts.)

There is a scriptural principle that I have come to appreciate so much over the years; it has been a tool to help me navigate my thought life, my emotions and my actions when those sudden storms have arisen…”rocking my peaceful boat.”

Amos 7:7,8 “This is what he showed me; The LORD was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” ” A plumb line.” I replied. Then the LORD said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.”

A plumb line is just a weight on the end of a string that builders use to assist them to make sure that the wall they are erecting is perpendicular to the ground. Gravity has the final say as opposed to someone’s “eyeing it” or  their “opinion”. The position is established quickly and the work on the wall can begin without much argument.

The Word of God is a plumb line for us. It is TRUTH. It never changes and it never becomes “outdated”. God’s guidelines for how we are to navigate through life are clearly written in His Word. He tells us how we are to handle a barrage of emotions (like anger, grief, frustration, confusion) or decisions we need to make that will impact many. His Word addresses our friendships, our marriages, our finances, our ministries, our health and so much more. The more we really study what His Word says, the greater our ability to anchor that plumb line up against the rough seas that rock our boat.

The faster I  align my attitudes and my choices with God’s clear instruction in the Word (His plumb line), the sooner I settle down. His Word helps to narrow down my choices by eliminating so many that are contrary to His instruction. His plumb line anchors me. My emotions calm down, my thoughts become less scattered and my joy returns. His Word does not necessarily give me the “easy or more appealing” choice of action many times, but He gives me the right choice. His way is always best. 
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Father, as I begin this day not knowing what the seas will bring me, I establish in my heart that YOUR Word, will be my plumb line. I choose to align myself according to Your Word and I thank you for how this Truth settles so much deep within me.