All - Deep - Ever

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
"Do not depend on your own understanding.
In all your ways remember Him.
Then He will make your paths smooth and straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

I enjoy seeing a project through from beginning to end, a list checked off from top to bottom. This task-orientation works for many areas of life  - running errands, cleaning house, grocery shopping, getting dockets done for work, studying to teach a lesson, painting a room - but, woe to me and you if we think we're going to arrive spiritually anytime soon. Thank goodness God doesn't view us as projects but as His own children with whom He wants relationship. Three words pop up regularly in scripture to keep us tied into God's power and strength for this never-ending  spiritual journey.   

1)  The word "ALL," a little word covering the width and breadth and circumference of life leaves no excuse for our half-hearted efforts.  For example: "All your heart;"  "All your ways;"  "All your mind;"  "All your strength" "Casting all your cares on Him," "praying about all things," "giving thanks in all things," and on and on because "all" means all.  We'll never check it "all" off our lists.  We may have trusted Him for something 20 years ago, but "all" means we trust Him with every bit of today's messes and needs.

2) The word "DEEP."  How deep is deep when God is infinite? When His love is higher than the heavens and deeper than any reachable place? Deep, deep and deeper we may go in Him, but we'll never burst through to the other side of God's Presence.  "Deep" means we can keep trusting His heart when we seem to be stuck in a forever problem.

3) And, the word "EVER."  If I lived all my life for God today and managed to know Him deeply and personally, what about tomorrow and next week?  Simply overwhelming if we picture ourselves trying to drum up that kind of determination and focus from our own power and understanding.

We may never turn it "all" over to Him, but we can add a little more to the pile,  go a little deeper in His Word and in heart-obedience,  and we can live one more day depending on Him to the end of the day.  

"But I am like a healthy olive tree.
My roots are deep in the house of God.

I trust in Your faithful love for ever and ever."

Psalm 52:8