Scripture

So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and all his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being. (Deuteronomy 10.12 - 13)

Reflection

‘Well being’ is a buzz word today - there are well-being hubs in schools; we are told that exercise is good for our physical well being; that mindfulness is good for our mental well-being. Well-being simply means an ‘ultimately good quality of life’.

So by taking a walk in the country or practising clearing our mind of distractions with meditation and stillness we can obtain an ultimately good quality of life? Our bible reading today tells us that there is another dimension involved - a spiritual dimension.

We are born with inherent spirituality. It is up to us to tap into it. Here is a modern translation of the verse above -

1. Have a healthy respect for a higher power than yourself
2. Cultivate an attitude of love, forgiveness and acceptance of all that is.
3. Go out of your way to help other people, even if it involves sacrifice.

Do all this ‘ for your own well-being’. In tapping into the innate spiritual relationship between us and God, and being a blessing to others, we invoke an ‘ultimately good quality of life’ for ourselves!

Vicki Young