Micah 6:8 
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. 
And what does the Lord require of you? 
To act justly and to love mercy 
and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV)

He has told you, O man, what is good; 
and what does the Lord require of you 
but to do justice, and to love kindness, 
and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV)

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, 
what GOD is looking for in men and women. 
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, 
be compassionate and loyal in your love, 
And don’t take yourself too seriously— 
take God seriously. (The Message)

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Let’s not complicate things. 

This idea sounds like something that should be automatic. It is not. Even so, let’s give it a go. 

What does the good life look like from God’s perspective? He breaks it down here into simple bits and pieces that shape everything we think, do, and say. See if you can catch the current of his heart and mind in these ideas. 

* Do what is fair and just to your neighbor.
* Be compassionate and loyal in your love.
* Don’t take yourself too seriously.
* Take God seriously.

Any questions? 

This makes a good checklist to review morning by morning, doesn’t it? 

You can write it down on a small piece of paper and turn it into a bookmark so that you see it regularly. You could place it on your prayer list. Use it to guide your prayers as you begin or walk through a day. If you’re one of those people who likes to get a tattoo about everything significant in your life, you can get this one tatted on some smooth skin somewhere. Me? I think I’ll tattoo it on my heart and mind. I really don’t like needles. 

I love The Message paraphrase there at the end where it says, “Don’t take yourself too seriously. Take God seriously.” That’s not just good advice. That’s the essence of humility. 

As good and smart and capable as you and I may be, we must always defer to the heart and mind, the will and ways of God. He knows and sees what we do not and cannot. His commands and precepts are always the right lead measures. 

This is a good verse to commit to memory and to review often. Choose your favorite translation. Write it on an index card. Put it in a note on your phone. Carry it with you everywhere you go. 

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I will live justly, love kindness and compassion, and live in humble dependence on God.

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Our Father, empower me to live a life that does what is right, just, and fair in every circumstance. Make me a man of true kindness and compassion. Empower me to live a life of loyal love. Empower me to choose humility, trusting you in all things, at all times. Amen.