A holy life worthy of God.  A worthy life that honors Him.  This seemingly-lofty goal is what keeps coming back to me for my 2012 annual spotlight verse.

As I have been reading the Bible and praying the last several weeks, these verses are swelling up in my heart and are in the forefront of my mind. I recently journalled many verses that I am asking God to gently use to reshape my heart this year, but these “live a life worthy” verses kind of sum them all up for me.  (There’s a lot of refining left to do in this heart!) 

 

 
A life worthy of God.  Living a life that honors the only Worthy One.  A holy life because He is holy.
 
At first glance, this goal may seem lofty and unattainable.  But because He tells us to live a life worthy of Him and because “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness”  (2 Peter 1:3), I know it is possible.  By His Spirit and His grace.
 
Our Gather & Grow Bible study group is studying “Holiness” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  (This is the third book in her Bible study trilogy “Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness”.) She writes:

“Because God is holy, we must be holy.  And here’s the good news — because God is holy, we can be holy.  If you are a child of God, the Holy God lives in you.  He is the standard for your holiness, and He is the source of your holiness — He is your righteousness.  He can wash your unholy heart with the blood of Jesus and make you clean – so the world will know what He is like.” ~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss

God has blessed me beyond measure with a wonderful husband and two precious children.  He has given us treasured family and friends.  He has provided for us in amazing ways. 
 
Yet, life is offering me some unique challenges this year, all of which I know are flowing through God’s hands of love. Strrrrreeeettttttching is taking place in many ways in my life.  So living a holy life that is worthy of Him, while always a relevant and necessary charge, is especially grounding for me during this season of life. This one command covers everything.  Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness!

The wisdom in His gracious requirement of “live a life worthy of God” gives eternal perspective, focusing on Him and His purposes and glory. “God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.”  Ephesians 1:4
 
“Honor God” is our family dictum and goal.  “Honor God” are the words with which we usher our children good-bye.  Honoring God is our daily prayer.   Living a life worthy of Him honors Him.  “Honor Him, for His is your Lord.”  Psalm 45:11
 
So, I tell you my 2012 annual spotlight verse (as I have done in the past years) to share my heart.  But honestly, I share it for accountability.  As I publish it and put it out there, when the going gets tough I can’t run too far without the Holy Spirit convicting me and without one of you tapping me on the shoulder reminding me when I am being challenged, saying “Sharon, live a holy life worthy of the calling you have received.  Live a holy life worthy of God.”  He calls us into His kingdom and glory.
 
Promise me you’ll tap me on the shoulder.  I want to honor Him and live a life worthy of Him, especially in the stttreeeettttching!