Today is October 17 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
  
Today’s reading is from Psalm 119.   
  
      9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?   
         By living according to your word.   
      10 I seek you with all my heart;   
         do not let me stray from your commands.   
      11 I have hidden your word in my heart   
         that I might not sin against you.   
      12 Praise be to you, LORD;   
         teach me your decrees.   
      13 With my lips I recount   
         all the laws that come from your mouth.   
      14 I rejoice in following your statutes   
         as one rejoices in great riches.   
      15 I meditate on your precepts   
         and consider your ways.   
      16 I delight in your decrees;   
         I will not neglect your word.   
   
Can you remember getting your drivers permit? Do you remember the test you had to take, just to be able to get behind the wheel with a parent? If you have your driver’s license you took the test. How hard did you study for that test? Harder than for any other test on your life? You knew you needed the freedom of your license, so maybe you locked those rules into your heart and mind, and you still use them every day, if you still drive. Think for a moment about the word of God, and God’s law? Do you find it easy or hard to study and put into your mind and your heart?  
 
In a way, similar to driving, if you have God’s laws locked away in your heart and your mind, you can learn to just let go and drive. When you really know God’s laws you have the freedom to let go and be yourself, because you know the laws you’ve memorized are there to keep you on the road. As you listen to the passage again, think of the freedoms that come with really knowing God’s laws. Do you find yourself rejoicing in it?  

As you go through you day, pay attention to times you can naturally do the right thing at the same time letting go of the pressure to always be right, because you have rules memorized well enough to keep you on the path to Christ.  
  
Music: "All Things Rise" - Vineyard Soul 
ALL THINGS RISE [Lyric Video] | Vineyard Soul [feat. Tina Colón Williams | Vineyard Worship