Did A Little Deeper

Bluegrass music is a hobby and passion that I have developed over the last few years. In my collection, I have a CD from a group called Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. The title song of the album is “Dig a Little Deeper.” The basic premises of the song is that if you really love your wife and you want to keep her, you need to dig a little deeper within to do things to show her that you really love her and appreciate her. I thought we might consider some ways in which a Christian must dig a little deeper in life.

First, we must strive to treat one another with respect and dignity. The Apostle Paul wrote, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Kindness and compassion must be a part of the character of a Christian (Galatians 5:22,23; 6:1-10). We strive to live by the “golden rule.” “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). This may be easier said than done which is why we must dig a little deeper within our hearts to prove our love for one another. Let us lend a helping hand. Let us give a comforting word and a hug around the neck. Let us serve one another as family, the children of God.

Second, as parents, we need to dig deep within us to train our children. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). In order to know “the way he should go” a parent must know their children well. That requires spending time and energy to know the likes and dislikes, wants and wishes, and hopes and dreams of your children. It also demands we know God’s word and teach it to our children. God demanded of the children of Israel that they spend frequent, daily time in teaching their children. They were to write the word of God on their hearts and teach God’s word to their children when they awake in the morning, when they laid down to go to sleep, when they sat in the home, when they were walking down the street, and everywhere they went (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). In our day and time, when each family member is running in different directions with different hobbies, activities and careers, few families spend the time together they should. Outside of email, text messages, checking in on Facebook, or passing calendar exchanges, many homes have little communication. In order to break this norm, we must dig deep within ourselves to share time together because we love our families and we love God.

Third, we must dig a little deeper in the marriage bond. We must develop our relationships as husband and wife. Our relationship should be one of unselfishness, purity, submission, and love (Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7). Our world is filled with broken homes as a result of selfishness of each individual and the unwillingness of the couple to serve God faithfully. If each partner in the marriage would be willing to sacrifice for the other, if they would consider the other above themselves, if they would place God first in all that they do, then we could eliminate the sin sick marriages in this world. Dig deep and build a godly marriage.

Fourth, we must dig deep within our hearts and minds to reach out to the world with the gospel of Christ. As Paul declared, “The love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). We love the souls of men. We desire that they come to know the truth so that they can be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Therefore we must preach the gospel. “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21).

Fifth, in our list but first in priority, we must dig a little deeper in our love for God. For some, the only time that God enters their thoughts is when something goes wrong or when they are hurting. For others, the only time that God enters their thoughts is when they show up for worship on Sunday morning (and maybe if they go to Bible class on Sundays and Wednesdays; and maybe for worship on Sunday night). The Christian must give God first place in his heart DAILY. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). We will become giving and loving people when we first give ourselves to God (2 Cor. 8:5). Worship to God should never be routine. Dig deep within to live for God, to worship Him is spirit and truth, and to focus on His will in your life.

Let’s dig a little deeper!