If you miss your bath for a few days, people will notice.

I find the same principle applies to my spiritual life.

When I go days without reading and meditating on God’s Word, it is noticeable – in my words, in my thoughts, in my attitude, in my relationships – and it is not a good noticing.

I need daily washing by the Word of God to keep me focused on the right way. When interacting in this world, I quickly become smudged with the fingerprints of fear and doubt and confusion. My soul begins to feel wrinkled and grungy. God’s Word is my foundation and my direction, and it shows me the areas in my life that need His cleansing.

Reading and obeying God’s Word is not simply a Christian discipline; it is a lifeline for survival in a messy world. His Word is His love letter to me, and it changes me as I study it and follow its guidance. The more faithful I am in my attention to His Word, the more His Word becomes a part of my heart and soul.

His Word working in my heart brings forth fruit – the fruit of the Spirit:

love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22-23).

I want to be all that God has created me to be. I want my life to reflect His Person and His love. He has given me His Word to prepare me and guide me and comfort me and instruct me.

My job is to read it and allow Him to apply it in my life – every day. Then, instead of being a grungy Christian, I can be like the description that Paul used for the Philippian church:

an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. Philippians 4:18

People will notice that, and that will glorify my Father.

Ephesians 5: ²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it (the church) with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Photo – Evening Grace, Beth Mims