Connect 360: Surrender Your Time

• Lesson 3 in the Connect360 unit “The Search for Wisdom: Words to Live By” focuses on Proverbs 3:1-4.

There are two focal words that stand out in verse 3: “love” and “faithfulness.” Much like a carefully created crossword puzzle, this verse is crafted meticulously to get the point to the reader in a clear way. These words are much more than expressions or emotions. They are actionable words meant to be exercised and utilized for God, for yourself and for others.

Start with the word for love. Any time there is an opportunity to discuss the Hebrew word “hesed,” which is the word for love here, take that opportunity. It is a deep word with a big meaning. In the Greek language we have multiple words that speak to different expressions of love, but with “hesed” we get a covenant-type of love. This means it is a commitment between two groups or two people, and these people will not let go of their covenant agreement.

In modern-day weddings, this type of expression is witnessed when a couple speaks vows to one another. With witnesses everywhere and God above, two people commit their lives by saying what they will do.

The depth of a covenant love also implies something very strong: “If you let go of your end of the deal, I will not let go of mine.” This is how a covenant is starkly different from a contract. When a contract is signed, if one person defaults on his or her part, then the other person is let off the hook. A contract is for a limited time, but a covenant is for life.

Think about how costly a covenant love is. It is sacrificial, and it is for a long period of time. How else would you describe the difference between a contract love versus a covenant love? God practiced this faithfully with the Israelites throughout the Old Testament, and he still practices this love with his children today. When people are unfaithful to God, he remains faithful to his love for them, regardless. This is the type of love that should never leave you.

Faithfulness is a significant word, and it is made all the stronger when it is tied with love. Another way to translate faithful-ness is “dependability.” As you surrender your life and your time to God, be sure you practice covenant love along with dependability. Be a reliable follower of God, one who God always sees as faithful and obedient. The image is also that you hang on to these two things and don’t let them run away from you.

How do you hang on to love and faithfulness? Bind them around your neck, like a necklace or a band of some sort that stays around you and with you at all times. Not only will you feel the weight of these two actionable words; you’ll also be putting them on display in front of others. As you live your life for God, showcase God’s love and faithfulness through your actions for others and in front of the world.

Showing God’s love and faithfulness is certainly important. At the same time, these must be deeply etched inside of you. Is there really a tablet of stone inside your heart, as the last line suggests? No, but it is possible for actionable words to be etched into the flesh of your whole self. Basically, these two words are your words to live by. They must impact you on the inside so you will live them on the outside.

Understand this: to surrender your life, the time you have on this Earth, is no small decision. It does bring about more life for you, and it also requires how you live your life by surrendering your whole self to God, his love and faithfulness. Like taking seeds in your hands and planting them in a garden, take hold of love and faithfulness, and plant them in your heart. Next, live them out as they birth fruit in you.

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