Different Faces for Different Places?

Today it is time for a spiritual reality check.
Dissect every aspect of my life and see where I'm at.
As we continue seeking God thru Psalm 119 we have come to Zayin. The verse I would like to hit on is verse 54:
Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.
This psalmist reminds me of a traveler. And whether or not he is visiting his hometown, or Seattle, or New York or Kalamazoo, this traveler has a steadfast theme that he sings. The theme of his song, his life, doesn't change with the city. The people he comes in contact with in Seattle will get the exact same impression of this man as the people he comes in contact with in New York. Sounds simple enough?

But, like always, reading the Word seems to cut thru to the very heart of my issues in life: Am I the same man, consistently, in different areas of my life? For example, am I the same Daniel in front of the students that I teach, my wife, my friends, my family or even the people the I don't know and come in contact with. Do I lessen myself, do I change the theme of my song, so that I can hang with the guys for a night? Or do I claim to be a Christian and sold out for His cause, but couldn't care less about those people I come in contact with that I don't know? Are there inconsistencies in my life when I travel from one city to the next?

This traveler is amazing to me. He doesn't care where he is located, he is soooo in love with God that the theme of his song is undeniably consistent. This is man that consistently looks to God in every aspect of life. Dealing with a waiter, a bank teller, an angry student, an upset sibling, a parent, a pastor, a homeless person, a superstar...the traveling man allows God's decrees to inundate his most inner being- and what comes out? How does he deal? Something much easier said than done: he uses the same exact song. To me this is a traveler filled with the Spirit: he has love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Do we practice these same characteristics everywhere we go? Sure, its super easy to do this at church or around our bible study group. But do we live in the Spirit everywhere else: While we are at home alone with free time, or a school, or in a conference (where you are getting reamed for a mistake by your boss), or while traveling away from everyone who knows you, or in college where you have all the freedom in the world and little responsibility, or when you are with your spouse or significant other?

Is there a boundary you put on God? "Yes God, you can come and control this area of my life and this one too, but God, I am not, under any circumstances, allowing you to take over this area of life!" Is that you? What is it that you can't seem to let go of? Is it a girlfriend that's bringing you down? A marriage that you don't have any more patience for? An anger or disdain you have towards a people group, a boss, a political figure? What is it?

I love walking thru Psalm 119 because it brings clarity to where I am struggling and shows me how to not only get out of the pits, but how to maintain a steadfast relationship with God, regardless of my surroundings! This traveler is a perfect example of how American so-called Christians get it wrong (including myself). We sing our songs on Sunday, hear a cool message, and close our eyes during prayer. When we get back home its back to a watered-down, comfortable, monotonous relationship (if we can call it that) with our Creator. The traveler represents what I want to be! A guy who doesn't change with the wind, who doesn't get tossed by the waves of an ocean, but who remains completely devoted to Christ and imitating His humility towards others!

God restore me daily and create in me a passion to carry Your Theme with me wherever I go, whomever I come an contact with and whatever I do!

Daniel