Lifeline

I was recently visiting a fellow rancher, who had a big metal ring installed to the side of the front door of the house. I asked about it. They said there was also one installed by the door of the barn. We get some really harsh whiteout snowstorms, and at the first sign of a blizzard, you run a rope from the house to the barn, attached to these rings. Just hold onto the rope, and it assures you make it back and forth in safety. Because there are stories of people who had wandered off and been frozen to death, having lost sight of home in a whiteout while still in their own backyards.

This is a physical definition of a lifeline.

I’ve been thinking of the spiritual definition of one, and came up with this.

When times are good, before the storm shows up, I need to tie myself to what matters, that will keep me safe. That is spending each day in the Word of God. It is communicating with God in prayer. It involves memorizing Scripture. Okay, well the first two seem to be easier for me that the last. So recently I have been taking verses that are standing out to me during my reading, and break them down to their basic components. I write these is my little book, and it makes it easier for me to begin to memorize.

I’m not changing Scripture, I’m making it easier for me to remember them. Then I can go back, once I have this part down cold, and memorize how the actual verse is written. It seems to be working for me.

Here are a few examples.

The Lord’s decrees are perfect, reviving the soul.

They are trustworthy, making the simple wise.

They are right, bringing joy to the heart.

They are clear, giving insight to life.

They are pure, lasting forever.

They are true, each one is fair.

There is great reward for those who obey them.

(Based on Ps. 19:7-11)

Live wisely and be fair.

Life a disciplined life.

Have a strong and steadfast belief in the trustworthy message I was taught.

Encourage others.

(Based on Titus 1:8-9)

I need to ask myself what is:

1. Good and worthy of praise
2. True and trustworthy
3. Full of respect and integrity
4. Clean and wholesome
5. Right, bright and full of light
6. Beautiful and awe inspiring
7. Holy and honorable

I am to think on these things.

(Based on Phil. 4:8)

For the last one, as it is broken down into seven components, I take one for each day of the week, and look for that specific thing throughout the day. What a shift in focus for my soul, when I mindfully search for things that fit into the category for the day!

Then when the storm hits, I already have my lifeline tied off, and I’m not going to blindly wander around, lost, and lose sight of my real home, eternity in heaven with Jesus.

Grab hold of the real lifeline, Jesus, who assures us we will never be lost. “And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given to me, but that I should raise them to eternal life at the last day.” (John 6:39 [NLT])

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