Saturday Scriptures #7-It's All In The Details

Implications Of The Spirit In The Details Of Our Life

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. Galatians 5:24 (The Message)

I'm a details person. Planning things is an important part of everything I do. So much satisfaction comes from making a list of chores or items to do and then crossing out each task as it is accomplished. For me, lists are a way to make sure I'm not missing any of the details. 

Today's scripture speaks to this idea of details. But these details are not items to cross off on a to-do list, but rather the details of our lives that speak to how we are living the life of following Christ. The use of the word "implications" fascinated me as I read this scripture and really caused me to ponder its meaning in light of the scripture. Here are the Google definitions for the word:

im·pli·ca·tion

ˌimpləˈkāSH(ə)n/

noun

1. 1.

   the conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.

   
   

   "the implication is that no one person at the bank is responsible"

   
   

   synonyms:

   suggestion, insinuation, innuendo, hint, intimation, imputation "he was smarting at their implication"

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2. 2.

   the action or state of being involved in something.

   "our implication in the problems"

   synonyms:

   incrimination, involvement, connection, entanglement, association; datedinculpation "his implication in the murder case" It appears that this scripture is reminding us that living the life of faith involves looking at each aspect of our lives in terms of how the Spirit is moving and directing us to act or to be. As I have reflected on this scripture this week I've been trying to truly listen for God's leading in my life in an intentional way. It takes a lot of listening in order to discern the implications of the Spirit. As the definition says, these implications are sometimes quite subtle and come as suggestions, hints, innuendo. I especially love the definition of implication as an "entanglement." Life can sometimes feel like an entanglement. But, even within the tangles, God's Spirit is leading and guiding us, if we listen for that still small whisper.  And this is a detail in my life that I don't want to miss. And it will never be checked off of my to do list. I am not done learning from this scripture that reminds us that each of us in an original...a work of art sculpted and guided by the Lord's hand.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. (I Kings 19:12 NIV) Blessings,  Debbie