11.02.2007
"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling,
fix your thoughts on Jesus,
the apostle and high priest whom we confess."
Hebrews 3:1
Tell me if this scenario sounds familiar. You get up one the morning, delve into devotions, and walk away ready to face the day, your thoughts focused on the Lord.
But then, it happens.
Somewhere between the breakfast hour and the dinner table, those glowing aspirations and heavenly goals get shuffled into the back corner – out of sight, out of mind – faded into the background of chores and errands and phone calls and family issues and a million other things. Instead of living with a renewed thought process, you slip back into looking at the muddle. You lose your eternal perspective.
You forget Jesus.
My friend and accountability partner, Britt Leigh , and I were discussing this very thing Friday evening as we were going over our days. This same scenario had happened to us one too many times recently, and it was discouraging. After sharing a verse I had read in Hebrews, we were simultaneously struck with an idea.
Why not write that on our hands?!
Often it's the little reminders that help me keep focus. A scripture post-it on my bulletin board, a song on the radio, an email from a friend. This way we'd always have a reminder on hand (literally) with one twist of the wrist.
So we got out our ball-point pens on Saturday morning and scrawled (in my case, not hers ) those simple, powerful words across our hands. And you know what? It helped.
You'll find that it's mighty hard to forget Jesus when you have His name written on you.
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."
Wow, that is so cool! I do that and didn’t realize that other people do the same thing! It sure does help as we’re going through our day.
Aw, your post is sooooooo good!!! :) (((hug)))
I think you girls are so clever! *smiles* I enjoy your posts very much.
What a great idea!! You girls as so sweet!!
Uh, Hannah, did I happen to read that you on a comment you left (maybe on the Ulmer’s blog ???) that you bought a jean skirt from stylishjeans.com??? I was considering buying one from them, and I wondered if you know the name of the one you bought…and also were you please with it?? Thanks!!
Oh dear Hannah: how beautiful is your website. How stirring to be reminded how to remind ourselves of Jesus and His love for us. I loved the song, too. What was that? Who was singing? selahV
That was a great post!
I too struggle with keeping Jesus the focus…but I had to laugh seeing the writing on the hand; my friends sometimes joke around with me because I write reminders to myself on my hand all of the time! I’ll add this one on!
;)
~Lady Tai
Some of my favorite verses are along those lines. Hebrews 12 says, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.”
One of the ways I keep my mind and eyes on Jesus is by talking to Him…I’ve thought about taping a sign to my forehead that reminds me to pray in every situation…and even a note in front of my bed when I wake up in the morning: “To start your day, PRAY!”
Interesting thoughts Hannah! I haven’t been on your blog for a while, and I’m enjoying catching up on reading your posts! The Lord bless you!
Interesting idea–writing the Lord’s name on your hand as a reminder. The Bible says the Lord Himself does that with the name of Zion (Isa. 49:16).
The phrase, “Take the name of Jesus with you,” comes of course from Lydia Baxter’s beautiful hymn, “Precious Name.” (And today, as I write, is the 200th anniversary of her birth!)
Her song, and your idea, mean more than just remembering a name. They are a way of reminding us of the presence and loving care of the Lord, and of all His name represents. God bless.