Monuments and Memorials

I recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C. I was very blessed to speak to two groups of amazing women and a group of college students. There is always a sense of family among strangers when Christ joins our hearts. At times I wonder why God allows me such a privilege in this life, but I remind myself that He uses the foolish things of this world. I'm in good company, since a host of weak, vulnerable people have gone before me and have their failures boldly printed in the pages of the Bible I hold so dear. Each day it gives me great hope. Whew! Glad I got that off my chest! I know what a work in progress I am, but I LOVE serving God and His people!

Having never been to D.C. before, there were a few "must see" items on my list. I had limited time for sightseeing, but I was determined to see the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. I didn't expect the rush of emotion I would feel when I saw the U.S. Capital or the Washington Monument. So much history in that city. It is part of the DNA of every American no matter what your view on politics.

While the White House was much smaller than I imagined, the Lincoln Memorial was massive! As I walked up the steps toward Abraham Lincoln's statue, I felt tears sting my eyes. One man. One man making such a difference for an entire nation and an entire race of people.

To my surprise there was ONLY a statue housed in the enormous building. Ok, so there was a tiny closet of a gift shop you could barely turn around in and you would easily miss. But no museum to tour. No history plaques to read highlighting Lincoln's career. Just tons, literally, of white marble. Almost as huge as the Greek Parthenon. Ornate marble colums. An ornate marlble roof covering a marble statue. I never knew that the Lincoln Memorial building held only ONE THING. A jumbo sized man of history ... sitting in a chair. A lot of building to hold such a singular object of admiration.

And I thought about my heart. I am weird that way... nothing escapes my need for spiritual application. Truly, while looking up at Lincoln's face, it dawned on me. This was not a shared memorial. One man... all this effort to remember and honor one man. So back to my heart. Have I set up a memorial for ONE? The ONE and ONLY. No room for counterfeits. No room for lesser gods and human idols.

One heart.
Made for ONE GOD.
Seated on the throne.

When people look inside the vastness of my heart, will they see only ONE lifted high and honored? Am I willingly moving aside any and all who would dare to take up residence inside those walls? I want to build a monument to my God on the soil of my soul that time cannot erode, success cannot diminish, and hell cannot dismantle.

Let my LIFE be a Memorial to ONE.