I learned something new today about what tipping a hat means. You know you often see men tip their hats to women when they pass by them or meet them on the street or in a conversation. I thought the man was just showing good manners but I didn't know there was a meaning behind it. The devotion I was reading said, "The tip of the hat is a sign of acknowledgment. It is a gesture of respect and value. It communicates, 'I see you. You matter. You are valuable.' Or it can also be an expression of thanks."
Today we also show acknowledgment of others with a hug, handshake, or a high-five. Any of these ways of acknowledgment show that the other person has value. The author of the devotion then tied in Proverbs 3:5,6 so that I saw this verse in a 'new light'.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
Many of us have this verse memorized. The first part is great! Yes, trust God and don't trust our own ways or thoughts. But then this second part to acknowledge Him really jumped out at me. It is not enough to not trust our ways we need to acknowledge His ways.
More on what acknowledge means: "to recognize the rights, authority, or status of someone." So to acknowledge God we are recognizing that He has all authority. It means to give Him all honor and to realize He has the most status of anyone or anything in our lives.
In essence, we must acknowledge God and surrender to Him......then our paths will be made straight. Then we will go and do as He wants and asks us to. It is more than just a tip of the hat. It is total surrender, with our lives humbly bowed low, acknowledging the supremacy and sovereignty of God.
So realize your ways are futile...Acknowledge God... and then you will have direction and a straight path to follow.
Thoughts for this blog were taken from More Grandmother's Prayers by Kay Swatkowski
No comments:
Post a Comment