The Way You Operate

Blessed is the one
   who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
   or sit in the company of mockers, 
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
   and who meditates on his law day and night. 
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1.1-3

Delight - a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction; to be held spellbound.

Day and Night - Pretty much all the time.

Planted - Deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held

In Season - When the time comes, no earlier-no later; God's perfect timing.

God is the source of all strength. It's a law of nature just like gravity. Ignore it at your own peril. When we fully appreciate this fact - and structure our lives accordingly - we stand a good, solid chance of avoiding burnout in ministry leadership.

Read over this passage again.

Does this describe the way you operate? What do you think keeps us from living this way on a daily basis?

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Comments

[Dusty Rayburn]

Simple but much needed. Thank you.

I am getting better at my constant delight, but many times I am still sidetracked by the things of this world.

[jasonS]

I love Psalm 1! Powerful verses. Also, what a profound truth that needs to be stated over and over. We can acknowledge the truth, but until we structure our lives accordingly, there is no lasting effect. Great post, Scott. Thanks.

[Scott Couchenour]

Dusty - I know what you mean. Distractions abound in our culture. Gotta stay alert and ready to beat them.

[Scott Couchenour]

Jason - Structure gets a bad wrap. But I am convinced it's the secret sauce to serving strong. The power is in the scriptures. Structure weaves the power into our journey. Thanks for sharing.

[bill (cycleguy)]

Sorry for being AWOL lately Scott. AT&T cut off our internet at the office so I have to wait until I get home to do any surfing or reading of blogs. By then it is late and I skim everything. This is a good post. You ask if I live like this and what keeps me from it? The answer in a nutshell is sometimes and my own desires. I truly desire in my heart of hearts to delight in Him (Psalm 37 is one of my favorite passages of all with 37:5 being my "go to" verse) but so often find my heart divided. I live a semi-structured life but allow myself some freedom to do what I want if the opportunity arises. Thanks for making me think today.

[Scott Couchenour]

Bill - no problem. I wish I had more time to sink my teeth into all the blog posts of those I follow. Could it be a "semi-structured life" is more like "a life in rhythm"? Just another perspective to ponder, I guess.

Thanks for commenting.

[herbhalstead]

Great verse - great analysis! I believe firmly - from experience - that we must integrate meditation on the things of God into the fabric of our lives, so much so that it is not something we sit down to do, but becomes the lens through which we view and interact with life.

[herbhalstead]

oops - forgot to say this : I'm not there yet - but I "press on" toward it.

[Scott Couchenour]

Love the "lens through which we view and interact" metaphor you bring up. That's cool. Thanks for sharing.