Love Letters | Instructions

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 1 Peter 1:23

Beth held out a tray of wilted seedlings. “Look at this! All my hard work. Dead! Now what am I gonna plant in my garden?” Her sister frowned and shook her head. “I hate to say, ‘I told you so’ but…” She took the tray. “Why did you think those seeds would thrive with no water? Look. They never took root.” Beth slumped into a chair, head in her hands. “Actually, I forgot about them the first week. Then I thought they might be stronger plants if I didn’t baby them. Guess that was dumb, huh?”

In order to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, we’ve got to cultivate it until it takes root. If a tweeted inspirational quote every morning is our version of Bible study, then we shouldn’t be surprised when we keep messing up. For God’s word to dwell in us richly, we must read it, meditate on it, and then ask the Holy Spirit how to apply it to our lives. Whatever dwells in us richly affects everything we do. The first phrase of this verse is necessary for the latter half. When God’s word dwells in us richly, we bubble over with it. We live to teach it, apply it, and help other people apply it. Music and singing flow from our hearts without effort because the seeds of truth God planted are alive and growing. Whatever dwells richly in our hearts defines our lives.

Final Thought: Are you cultivating the seedlings of truth God has planted in your heart? Let His word dwell in you richly.

Prayer: Father, I don’t put enough effort into cultivating my spiritual life, so maybe that’s why I keep doing stupid things and failing you. Help me be proactive about getting into your word and letting your word get into me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.