Consecrate.. This is one of those words that is seldom used anymore, unless perhaps in poetry….
We use words like dedicate and devote. Consecration doesn’t really make a person, place, or thing really holy,(it is GOD who makes holy)... but it declares that person, place, or thing to be set apart, to be especially dedicated and devoted to the service of God. We have ceremonies to dedicate children. In those ceremonies, the parents devote themselves to bringing the child up to know God.
Does all that ‘to-do’ really matter? Does it change the way the future unfolds? Does it really matter what we ‘say’ over a person, place, or thing? What good is ceremony? Words spoken…then forgotten….so what?
Perhaps in some circles words don’t mean much. I regret to say that our culture has lost the sense of value in them. There was a time when a thing spoken could be taken for absolute truth. Vows were said only when they were considered thoroughly and there was intention to keep them.
God spoke to His chosen people, the Israelites, “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I Am the Lord your God. Keep My decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, Who makes you holy.” (Lev. 20:7-8) It was nothing the people did that made the difference…it was GOD Who made the difference in them.
He has spoken to me… “ ..you are a chosen people. A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His wonderful Light.” (1 Peter 2:9) ‘..from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.’ (vs. 10 The Message)
‘Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live your..life…so that your actions will refute prejudices…they will be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when He arrives. Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens…It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re the danger…exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules.’ (vs. 11-16 The Message)
I am consecrated. My home is consecrated. I work in a place that is consecrated. I live on ground that is consecrated. Some may forget…they may disregard words that spoke vows. They may turn away and go after other gods.
I determine again today that I will not.
