Blessed are
those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! Psalm 119:2
I sat as I
listened to our worship leader read that verse aloud during choir rehearsal. After he read it, I found myself
reading it again. “Lord, what does that
mean? You know, that word, whole. We read it over and over in scripture, but it seems to me we either ignore that word or simply choose to focus our attention on other aspects of that blessing. What does it really mean to seek You with my whole heart?”
It really wasn’t the time to be concentrating
on such things. We had music that needed
to be rehearsed. Our worship leader
takes our Wednesday night time very seriously and expects us to do the
same. And I smile when I think of his
expectations for our choir. I smile
because most folks today would scoff at someone in this day who expects people to be as
committed as he expects people to be. I
smile because I know we live in a world where most folks think memorizing
the music to be presented during our worship services is simply too much to be
asked of a choir. I smile because I know when
much is required, often much is given - and rightly so. I might add, especially when it comes to our
worship.
But back to that
thought which interrupted my time with the choir on that particular night. What does it really mean to seek Him with my whole
heart? Well, it might not have
interrupted my rehearsal if God had
hesitated and brought my mind back around to that question later, knowing what
my worship leader expects. But,
apparently, God felt this message was too important to wait. He decided this question needed to be
answered right then. So, guess what? He
answered . . . right then.
“As a child you learned only one
sock and one shoe simply wouldn’t do.
As a student you learned only part of
your homework wasn’t enough to get you the grade.
As a daughter you learned partial
obedience was pretty much good for only one thing..
As a friend you learned any amount of disloyalty
could lose you your friends.
As a layman you learned partial
commitment doesn’t really benefit the church.
As a wife you learned keeping yourself “only
to him” wasn’t just for sometimes.
As a mother you learned you can’t feed
babies only when you feel like it.
In each of these circumstances - sometimes,
part, once in a while and when you feel like it are just not
enough. As a woman, is it ever o.k. to go
out of the house half-dressed? If you
read only part of a book will you reap all the benefits of it? Do you take only part of a shower and come
out just as clean? Do you expect only
some of your salary when you get paid?
Do you pay attention to only some of what your friends, spouse or children have
to say and still have as close a relationship?
Do you sing only a single verse of a song and still get the message just as
clearly?”
Wow! I got the message quickly and clearly. God was telling me with no uncertainty there isn’t
really any aspect of my life that allows for only partial response. Then - zing, on the heels of that
revelation, came - “So, when is a partial
response to your Lord ever a correct response?”
I must confess I
had a difficult time coming back around to the music. But then I remembered my worship leader
desires the same thing my God does: my whole-hearted dedication to the task at hand. And that made me smile.
Becky Garner
10/14/04
