Haunted by a Verse

By Terry Weber

The beginning of Proverbs 3:6 says, “in all your ways acknowledge him” (NIV).

Lately, I haven’t been able to get that verse out of my mind. I’m feeling haunted by it. Maybe “haunt” is a strange word to use for a Bible verse. “Haunting” often conjures up images of ghosts. Well, maybe God’s Holy Ghost keeps bringing this verse to my mind, encouraging me to continually strive for more acknowledgment of the Lord. In that sense, the verb doesn’t seem strange at all. Plus, Merriam-Webster lists several definitions for that verb. This one – “to recur constantly and spontaneously” – fits the bill for me.

It’s the idea of acknowledging the Lord in ALL my WAYS. That means in everything I do and everywhere I go, doesn’t it? I am to acknowledge the Lord at home, at work, and at play; I am to acknowledge him with my words, my thoughts, and my actions; I am to acknowledge him with my family, my neighbors, co-workers, friends, and my enemies. I am to acknowledge the Lord with the art of theatre that means so much to me and defines a significant part of who I am.

The problem is that I’m not sure I do that. Oh, I desire it, believe me. I sense God’s presence all around me and in all my circumstances. I love him and I know he loves me. I believe that Jesus is my Savior, having paid the price for my sins to reconcile me with his Father. But while I acknowledge that in writing here, I don’t think that I do so in ALL my WAYS. I am stopped too often by fear, doubt, or selfishness.

Thankfully, as I have been pondering this, the Holy Ghost just reminded me to pay attention to the second half of the verse. In it, God delivers a conditional promise: If I can improve in ALL WAYS acknowledging him, he will make my paths straight. Ah, wouldn’t that be nice?