Measure
To measure something is to use a standard size and determine the size and scope of something else. I’ve built stuff over the years and my “trusty” 25’ Stanley Tape measure is my instrument of choice. If I have to measure something larger or longer than 25’, I usually go to the 100’ tape. Measuring is not generally super hard. Sometime the math that’s involved with measuring is a bit strong for my brain – hence the cheap calculator from Staples. (lol)
Ezekiel was a spectator as he was transported to Israel to see the new temple. He watched this man with a measuring rod of 10.5’ measure the huge structure. He measured everything from the thickness of the walls, to the size of the rooms for the priests. To see this structure today would be quite a spectacle. I counted just under 25 times the word measured was used in just one chapter. He was thorough. Check this out….
It was the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month. It was in the fourteenth year after Jerusalem was captured. On that same day I felt the power of the Lord, and he brought me to Jerusalem. 2 In the visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel and put me down on a very high mountain. On the south of the mountain there were some buildings that looked like a city. 3 He took me closer to the buildings, and I saw a man who looked as if he were made of bronze, standing in the gateway. He had a cord made of linen and a stick in his hand, both for measuring. 4 The man said to me, “Human, look with your eyes and hear with your ears. Pay attention to all that I will show you, because that’s why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel all that you see.” (Ezekiel 40:1-4 NCV)The importance of measuring can’t be overstated. I remember a good friend who used to frame houses and he is an excellent builder. He advised to “ALWAYS measure twice and cut once”. Measuring gives proper perspective to the plan. It also helps keep things precise.
I think it’s important for me to measure lots of things in ways other than provided by a tape measure. I should measure the impact of the choices I make. How will they affect others? I should measure the weight of my words. I should measure my time and use it wisely since time is the most valuable commodity of my life.
Measuring takes patience because sometimes I’m ready to jump in or get started before doing all the measuring. Measuring can save lots of grief later by looking at all the perspectives and angles. It would be wise for me to measure out my day and calculate the wisest way to use my “awake hours”. I guess I can’t measure everything with my tape measure, but I can measure everything with the Power of the Holy Spirit in me. There’s no way to overstate the value of His Presence in measuring EVERYTHING!
Pressing On! Dwayne