Driving around your city, I am sure you have seen at least one large billboard, located on a busy thoroughfare that carried a message that relates to man’s behaviors in the eyes of God, or they are designed to provoke self-evaluations by men and women so they might modify their actions to the point that they are actually pleasing to the Lord. These messages are typically written in large type and presented in a way that it seems like God is communicating a powerful message in a few words. I have seen a some of the billboards. The ones that stand out in my memory are, “DON’T MAKE ME COME DOWN THERE,” “I SEE EVERYTHING YOU DO,” and “YOU KNOW I’M COMING BACK!” The words on the billboard are few in number, very short indeed, in terms of messaging, but they are incredibly powerful in terms of meaning.
Yesterday, I heard someone talking about “the simple life.” The exact words were “Simply Live.” Depending on the perception of the listener, that could mean a lot of different things: “Live it up!” “Live to enjoy the time you have!” “Live at the social gathering like there is not a tomorrow, party on!” “Live while you are young.” Yes, “Live it up” can go through one’s personal prism and that person may be wrongly persuaded or motivated to live as they see fit. I suspect that the majority of the time, this saying probably does not produce a persuasive argument, an unfailing point that changes the lives of those who need a change of heart, and the consequently live it up…according to the One who sits high up on His throne.
If it is not already on a billboard, there should be one that says, “I’VE ALREADY TOLD YOU!” In slightly smaller print, printed right under the main message, it should say, “See Micah 6:8.” What does that say? I’m glad you asked! For the answer, look at the closing verse before you enjoy living today, this Saturday, the day before you go to church tomorrow. Then, go on and do what you need to do today, and live a simple life. Live it up but do so in accordance with God’s expectations. Be blessed!
“No, the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.” (Micah 6:8 Good News Translation)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King