Heart, Soul, and Strength

So, this post is going to be a little different from the ones I usually write, but is still stemmed from my daily readings. The last few days the bulk of the Life Journal reading has been in Deuteronomy (one of my favorite books), and God has brought an idea that I've had for a while now to the front of my mind.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Virtually every time I read this passage (or the accompanying passage in Deut. 11:18-20) a vision pops into my head of starting a line of wristbands, hats, pendants, and door plaques. I know that there are Jewish versions of these items (tefillin or phylacteries, and mezuzah), but I have yet to come across a contemporary version that I'd want to wear daily, simply out of remembrance instead of religious ritualism.

I know there is some controversy in taking these verses literally, and that Jesus himself accused the Pharisees of using the phylacteries as a means of showing off their pride: "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long... (Matt. 23:5)", but I think it's important to note that Jesus was speaking to people who were familiar with what phylacteries were. That's why the Pharisees were able to feel good about themselves wearing them in public where everyone who saw it knew what it was. I'm not trying to say that wearing a wristband or hat inscribed with scripture doesn't include the risk of religious pride, but let's be real, that could be said about pretty much anything. I'm not going to say that my intention is not for all men to see, because it is. But it's intention is to serve as a reminder to the one who wears it to seek the will of God in all things, as well as serve as a conversation starter to someone who sees them wearing it and asks what it is.

There are many verses in the bible that urge us to seek God's will first (Matthew 6:33 is probably the most commonly referenced verse on this subject for Christians), but I really like the practicality of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 because it lays things out in a very literal way. Here's what I get when I read the passage, paraphrased by me:

- Love God with all that you are, above all other things your heart desires, through all of your thoughts, and in all things you concentrate your efforts on (Deut 6:5)
- Take his will for your life into your heart and seek it always (v. 6)
- Teach your children to love God above all things through leading by example (v. 7a)
- Talk about God at home and in public (v. 7b)
- Center your discussions on Him morning and night (v. 7c)
- Keep reminders for yourself so you will remember Him constantly and what He has promised you (v. 8)
- Post your love for God on your homes and city gates, showing you are unashamed, so all will know your priorities and the God you serve (v. 9)

That is basically where my heart for this project lies. Launching this idea is probably a ways off, and I'm still in the process of praying about it and more completely developing the idea. But I have started looking into costs of wristband manufacturing and hat embroidery. I'm not necessarily looking to turn a profit, so I'd probably end up selling the items for around what it costs me to order them. I'd love any ideas anyone has about any aspect of the project. Thanks for your support and input :)