Mowing & Memory Work

“Do I really have to?” Maybe I’m the only one who asked my parents this question growing up, but it always reflected the desire of an immature child to avoid doing something unpleasant. Like most ten-year-old boys I enjoyed riding my bike and playing baseball much more than mowing grass and cleaning my room.

As I matured, however, I came to understand the necessity of work and even grow to enjoy it. I still remember the day I started my first job. Although the work itself wasn’t exactly fun, there was a sense of satisfaction in knowing I was accomplishing something more significant than reaching the next level of a video game. I went to work every day not because I couldn’t wait to get there, but because I had a responsibility to get there and I found joy in the fulfillment of that responsibility.

Today’s excerpt from Psalm 119 and many Scriptures like it are incredibly straightforward concerning Scripture memory. It is undeniably apparent that our hearts and minds must be immersed in Scripture “day and night” (Psa. 1:2), yet for some reason our culture tends to view Scripture memory as a nonpriority. God says to do it and we respond, “Do I really have to?” His answer is unmistakably clear: “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart” (Deut. 6:6).

Yes, Scripture memory is hard. Yes, it takes time. Yes, you may be the only one in your family to do it. But according to Jesus, His words abiding in us isn’t optional:

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7)

The human soul needs conversion. David declared, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Psa. 19:7). Human eyes are dim and in need of enlightenment. The Psalmist continued, “The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psa. 19:8). Conformity to the image of Christ never happens by accident, but is achieved by those who immerse themselves in Scripture, meditate on it, and put it into practice. In that light, may it be said of us as it was said of the disciples following Christ’s resurrection: “And they remembered His Words” (Lu. 24:8).