The Shema

        While working at a retirement community I noticed an item on the door frame of one of the residents. It turned out to be a Mezuzah which I had heard about but had never seen before in person. The resident of the room, being Jewish, would come up to the door, kiss his hand and then touch his same hand to the Mezuzah. The Mezuzah is a door decoration that is hollow and contains a section of the Word of God. The passage is from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and then a few verses towards the end of the chapter. This passage became known as the “Shema” for each Israelite. I talked to the resident trying to get more information about the item on his door frame but found that he didn't know too much about it. Over the years, the purpose of the Shema or the Mezuzah had become a bit more obscure. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 says, “ “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

          The content of the Shema is just as important to us today as it was to Israel back in the days of Moses. It would be just as important for every believer today to reflect on the words of this passage especially the part mentioned above which exhorts us to love the LORD your God with all your heart. This is one of those exhortations that is easy to say but really hard to do. We should be able to do so but we often find that the things of the world just plain get in the way of doing so. It is difficult for us to love the LORD with all of our heart when our favorite TV program is on, or when the ice cream truck comes down the road or we are offered a high paying job that would compromise our beliefs. This has become a personal thing for me and the more I try to love the LORD with all my heart, the more temptations seem to be in front of me. It would seem to be a natural thing to do, but is far from natural. It is more the opposite of being natural. When you pour water on the ground, it seeks the path of least resistance. It won't run uphill or over an obstruction. Many believers are much the same way. We will tend to take a path of least resistance rather than trying to swim against the prevailing current. Ministry seemed to be easier when my schedule was planned out for me. I would arrive at work, look at my daily schedule, do a Bible study with someone, visit here and there, go to the hospital or the funeral home for visitation and then get back home, tired and worn out. Now I am retired and my day is not consumed by a schedule. I can choose to do what I want, when I want and for as long as I want. It would be good for me to remember the Shema and to focus on the fact of loving the Lord my God will all of my heart. It is an exhortation for all of us in whatever situation we may find ourselves. Whatever amount of time we spend with God can and should be increased. The Shema should be a natural part of our lives. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”. Matthew 22:37-38 Praise God for His Word and His desire to have us commune with Him.