Lanyards Anyone?

(Proverbs 3:3 KJV)  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

The right attitudes do not have to “forsake" (leave NASB) (5800a) us.  We have a say in this.  We are to “bind” (7194) them to us.  They are to be around our necks so that we can never get out of their sight.  We will see them when we tie our shoes and when we comb our hair.  How do we apply this in modern days?

More and more places are requiring employees to wear ID around their necks on a lanyard.  They are trying to do it at school.  I have resisted that trend so far.  I am not a can of fruit that needs a label.  I figure that if people can’t tell I am a teacher then they have a problem.  I am obviously bigger than the kids but I should also exhibit a sense of purpose.  I should display an attitude that visitors on campus do not have.  I don’t stand in the hall trying to figure out where things are.  I try to help people who act that way.  I have access to locked rooms.  I correct behavior.  People should see that kind of thing in us as believers.  Have you ever been invited to an social occasion and the invitation said "black tie optional"?  Clothing was not the ticket to belonging.  We might dress different, but we must act different.  We should apply who we are in the attitude and behavior sense.  We are to wear our hearts on our sleeves, so to speak, so the world will know who we are. 

For us this is to be demonstrated in how our lives are lived out, not in things we can buy such as uniforms and emblems.  Many Jews ignored the demand for an inner change of heart and were content to wear symbols on their clothes.  We cannot allow ourselves to fall into that trap. 

Again we see the we are to “write” (3789) them on our “heart” (3820).  God does not see it as an either/or statement.  He expects our outward actions to reflect His holiness.  That is an absolute requirement.  Because outward actions can be faked, He also requires that our inner attitude be holy.  He can see our hearts clearly.  Other people see or sense them more than we like to admit. 

So?  Seek the knowledge of God by reading His word.  Do you get tired of me saying that?  Did you ever get tired of your mother saying, “Pick up your sox”?  No?  Maybe that is why your sox are still on the floor.  Start doing it instead of fighting it.  Call upon the Holy Spirit for teaching and guidance.  That is His role.  Happy growing.