Reforms Needed
The word “Reform” certainly implies change. According to Dictionary.com, it can be a noun or a verb. As a noun: the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc. As a verb: to change to a better state, form, etc.; improve by alteration, substitution, abolition, etc. I think it’s healthy to review my need for reform pretty often. If I’m not careful, I can slip into unhealthy habits and attitudes that can be harmful to me as well as people I know.
Nehemiah had returned to the service of King Artaxerxes. When he returned to Jerusalem he saw that a lot of the work he had previously done was being neglected. He was the type of leader that would call anyone out who needed it. Check this out…
10 I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and musicians responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. 11 So I rebuked the officials and asked them, ‘Why is the house of God neglected?’ Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.
12 All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and olive oil into the storerooms. 13 I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zakkur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because they were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.
14 Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services. (Nehemiah 13:10-14 NIV)
It’s pretty easy for me to tell others where they need reform in daily habits and attitudes. It’s a bit harder for me to look inside my own life and find where reform is needed. There are certain benchmarks in my life that allow me to look back and measure the progress I’ve made, or not made. I think everyone could use some measure of reform now and then.
I need spiritual reform to keep the pursuit of God’s heart my main priority.
I need to reform some areas of my responsibility as a husband.
I need to reform some areas of my responsibility as a Dad.
I need to reform some areas of my life to my close friends.
I need to reform some areas of my work as a REALTOR.
I think reform is a necessary part of growing and maturing just like change is a natural part of life. I’m not staying the same as I was yesterday, last month or last year; I’m aging for one thing. I want to seek the Lord in such a way that He gently reforms my life however He sees fit. He knows me like no one else. He knows when my motives are bad. He knows my heart and the desires of my heart. I think reform is closely connected with repentance; today and everyday – I need both.
Pressing On!
Dwayne