Our Daily Bucket List: Abiding in His Word

Candice Watters wrote in our March Women’s Conference outline – “Fruit is the evidence of what’s at work in our hearts – we need a changed heart.” What are we meditating on? Is God’s Word abiding in us? If we do not study the Word on a regular basis, then in times of need or deep distress, we get into trouble if God’s Word is not in us. 

The Navigators
In January, 1942, a 16 year old young man joined the Coast Guard, and was assigned to a Naval vessel – the USS San Pedro. This young man was a rough and tumble kind of guy, a wrestler, and was self-taught at the piano. He could play the “boogie-woogie,” and all the songs with the rich harmonies of the 40’s sound. He was in high demand anytime they were off ship where there was a piano.  While in Australia, he met two young sailors that were instrumental in shaping the man he would become.  He was impressed that these young sailors were brawny and fun-loving, but focused.  They were strong Christians, and were not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.  In fact, where many young sailors carried a pack of cigarettes in their pockets, these young men carried packs of cards that contained scripture verses, and they memorized them. They were members of The Navigators – a Bible memorization organization.  That young 16 year old man saw something in those two guys that intrigued and challenged him.  He rededicated his life to the Lord, joined the Navigators, and began hiding God’s Word in his heart.  He memorized thousands of verses.  That young man became my father six years later.  God used him as an unabashed witness to the truths of God’s Word the rest of his life.

That’s NOT on my bucket list!
Candice’s challenge to “abide in Him” reminded me of a personal experience several years ago.  I had a closed-scan medical procedure. Lying on the table, I was rolled into the narrow opening and had to lie perfectly still for nearly thirty minutes. The medical attendants told me if I moved they would have to start the test over.  Suffering from claustrophobia, I started shaking uncontrollably and my breathing became very shallow. (Astronaut, Scuba Diving, and Spelunking have never been on my bucket list.) They were trying to keep me calm.  Not wanting to blow the test, I kept thinking – “ok, it’s just 30 minutes, just 30 minutes, I can do this, I can do this!” But I was near hysteria.  

♫♫  A-B-C-D-E-F-G  ♫♫…
I remembered a Christian comedian – Chonda Pierce- talking about singing hymns and hymn phrases that started with each letter of the alphabet.  I started mentally singing “All to Jesus, I Surrender,” “Because He Lives,” “Count Your Blessings,” “Day By Day,” “Every Day with Jesus,”…, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” etc.  I was stumped a few times, but my spirit was becoming calmer.  The attendants periodically told me how much time was left. Then I started thinking of Bible verses and phrases that I knew that started with ABC’s….  I was amazed at how many verses started flowing from my memory bank.  God used that time to allow me to feel His presence, and to abide in Him. And yea! – I didn’t have to start the procedure over again!

And FYI, the following verse was my “F” and “W” selection… Psalm 91:4-6 “He will cover you with his Feathers, and under his Wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.” (NIV)

-Karen Sizemore

This is the third in a series of five blog posts that will recap the 2014 Women’s Conference: Fruitfulness: A Life Connected to the Vine.  If you’d like to listen to the audio recordings of all the Conference sessions, you can access them here.

Karen Oldham Sizemore was a PK for 21 years, was born again as a teen, was a multi-move military wife for 24 years, has lived the civilian life since 1994, and is now a senior citizen.  (You can do the math.) She is the mother of 2 grown sons, has been a member of NAOBC for 12 years, and has loved directing children’s choirs for 40+ years.