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Serving A Life Sentence Or Choosing Words to Live By

March 12, 2015 By Jean Wise

healthyspirituality.org

Do you have a life verse? A Bible verse or quote that resonates in your heart? Words that hold special meaning for you and perhaps guide you in times of decision and difficulty?

I have found discovering special key words ground me and offer me light on my path. If I am not quite sure what to do, I reread certain phrases. I would hope once I am gone somehow people who knew me and loved me, would remember me in these ways.

Here are words that impact my life: 

We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete

Hebrews 12: 2

My favorite Bible verse. I find that when I focus on God, things become clearer. When I allow my eyes to be distracted by sin, the world and my ego, I become lost. I need to remind myself of these life-giving words daily. 

For 2015, this verse is strong in my daily prayers:

One thing I ask from the Lord,

This only do I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

All the days of my life.

To gaze on the beauty of the Lord

And to seek him in his Temple.

Psalm 27: 4

I have had this quote by my kitchen sink for more than 40 years so must be saying something to my soul:

I shall pass through this world but once.

Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now.

Let me not defer for neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.

And when I don’t know how to act or choose I remember to choose love:

“I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.”

― Dorothy Day

And as a natural born sour pessimist who has worked hard to become a cockeyed optimist, I try to look on the bright side of things now:

“Joy doesn’t just happen. You have to choose joy…and keep choosing it.”

Henri Nouwen

As I was writing this post, I googled “life sentences” and only lots of prison and legal information came up. I thought that was funny and led to the title of this blog. But living our lives summed up in a life sentence does confine us in a way. We make decisions by its words. Our journey is directed by its wisdom. We define ourselves by its language. Our egos become restricted in its power and behavior.

Do you have a verse or a quote that inspires how you live?

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Filed Under: quotes, spiritual lessons

Comments

  1. Lisa notes... says

    March 16, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    Psalm 27:4 is actually one of my favorite verses too. I don’t know that I have a life verse per se, but different verses in different seasons. I do always seem to come back to the truths and comfort in Psalm 23 though, regardless of whatever is going on, so maybe I have a life chapter. 🙂

    • blankJean Wise says

      March 16, 2015 at 6:35 pm

      Does it surprise me you also like Psalm 27: 4? We sure are alike! Yes and Psalm 23 is so very special too. How about a life book? LOL

  2. blankDolly @ Soulstops.com says

    March 12, 2015 at 11:44 pm

    Jean,
    Such treasures you’ve shared…So glad it isn’t a life sentence…Ha! I’ve had different verses and quotes for different times of my life…You’re making me think I need to focus 🙂

    • blankJean Wise says

      March 13, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      I find, Dolly that certain words guide me in my darkest times or confusing times. They are my anchors. Have a great weekend.

  3. blankMartha Orlando says

    March 12, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Yes! Micah 6:8 And what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. I love the verses and inspiration you shared here today, too, Jean. Blessings!

    • blankJean Wise says

      March 12, 2015 at 8:45 pm

      I do love Micah too. Good guidelines there! Blessings, Martha

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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