"Let me be weighed in an even balance,
that God may know mine integrity." - Job 31:6

It was almost like a dream.

I had felt kind of distant from God for some time, so I decided to ask Him about it.  I called out, "Father, I don't feel close to you anymore, what's happened?"

Immediately, I heard the Lord speaking to my heart, "Take a look at the scales."

"What scales?" was my natural response.

"The scales of your life," He said.

Right before my eyes, a set of scales appeared.   On one side was a label entitled "Close to God."  It was almost empty and was way up in the air.  The other side was labeled, "Distant from God."  You guessed it, it was almost completely full and was so heavy it weighed to the ground.

I was puzzled at what I saw and asked God about it...

..."Father, what does this mean?  I understand that I am not close to you right now and I know that I am distant from you, but what are these scales all about?"

"Son, these two sides of the scales weigh all of the things you do each day of your life," God said to me.  "Some things draw you closer to me and are weighed on one side, while other things you do don't draw you close and can actually drive you away, they are weighed on the other side."

"What kinds of things?" I questioned Him.

God poured out the contents of each side of the scales and gave me the following comparison from the last 24 hours of my life...

Reading the newspaper and my favorite mystery novel, 60 minutes.  Reading the Bible, 5 minutes.

The scales tipped towards the "Distant" side.

Talking about the sports scores with my buddies and the gossip with my co-workers, 72 minutes.  Talking about the Lord Jesus, 1 minute.

The scales continued to tip in the wrong direction.

Watching an R-rated movie, 112 minutes.  Praying to the Lord, 4 minutes, 30 seconds. (I said a quick prayer before going to sleep and asked a blessing before a meal)

I see a pattern forming here.

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!