King Solomon is thought to be the wealthiest and wisest man to ever live. A reading of his work in the Bible entitled Ecclesiastes might also earn him the distinction of being the most fatalistic and cynical man who ever lived. Lest we come down too hard on ol' Sol we must realize that his negative perspective on life is written from the vantage point 'under the sun'. His assertion that life with all its trappings is 'meaningless' is an assessment of life lived on this earth apart from God. This is in contrast to life lived on this earth in an appropriate relationship with God (see Eccl 12:13 for his 'conclusion of the matter').
One of Solomon's observations caught my attention this past week around the time of the violence and carnage at the Aurora, Colorado theater. Solomon wrote, ". . .no man knows when his hour will come. . .men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them." (Eccl 9:12, NIV). What I hear him saying is that it is just a matter of time for everyone living 'under the sun' before something bad happens and there is no distinction made for the godly versus the ungodly.
Jesus seemed to agree with Solomon at least in principle when he said to his followers "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33). Trouble and evil can and do come upon anyone at anytime. So what is the difference between Solomon's perspective and that of Jesus?
Solomon devotes considerable ink in Ecclesiastes 9 to urging his readers to live as well as possible. Why? Because eventually, your time will come to be 'trapped by evil unexpectedly'. That's just the way life is 'under the sun'! Jesus, on the other hand, says, ". . .you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Solomon has us focus on what happens to us. Jesus urges us to think about how we react to what happens.
Consider a real life example from Aurora. Pierce O'Farrill was in that theater and was shot three times (Google his name and read his story). During a media interview he said, "I want to see him [the shooter] sometime. The first thing I want to say to him is 'I forgive you,' and the next is, 'Can I pray for you?'" (source, Yahoo News)
Jesus has overcome the world. It seems that Pierce has too. Will we? It's just a matter of time!
The Parson's Bench
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
A Lesson From a Walk
Anita and I took a walk around our neighborhood this morning as we often do. We passed a house that we have walked by many times; a house that just doesn't seem to 'fit' in this neighborhood, not because of its style or size but because of its condition. There's an official notice of some kind taped to the front window. The house has been abandoned for months and one can look between the decaying fence boards into the backyard where the swimming pool is now a large puddle of algae and the yard is overgrown in weeds. Whether the owners were caught in a faltering economy that forced a foreclosure or they simply abandoned the house for some reason, the condition of the property reflects neglect over a long period of time. It is a sad sight in a neighborhood where, by all appearances, the residents seem to be doing well and take pride in the care of their homes.
When I got home I was reading the Bible and came to Proverbs 24:30-34. The writer describes conditions that he saw perhaps while walking one day; property that had fallen into disrepair due to neglect. But he didn't simply look and then walk away shaking his head in disbelief and dismay. He "applied [his] heart to what [he] observed and learned a lesson from what [he] saw." Prov 24:32. His lesson is there for us all to read in 24:33-34.
This proverb challenged me to apply my heart to what I had seen on our walk this morning and to share with you the lesson I learned from the run down property in our neighborhood. The neglected house reminded me of what can happen to our lives if we neglect matters of the spirit. When we fail to diligently and regularly attend to the maintenance of our relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, the word of God, prayer and fellowship with other Christ-followers, life begins to decay.
That house in our neighborhood was once some family's dream home, filled with joy and hope for the future. Now it is a lifeless shell; laughter silenced; a symbol of dashed hopes and broken dreams. We must be very intentional about caring for our spiritual lives. Otherwise the insidious deterioration of neglect will leave us lifeless and without hope. Who wants to live like that?
When I got home I was reading the Bible and came to Proverbs 24:30-34. The writer describes conditions that he saw perhaps while walking one day; property that had fallen into disrepair due to neglect. But he didn't simply look and then walk away shaking his head in disbelief and dismay. He "applied [his] heart to what [he] observed and learned a lesson from what [he] saw." Prov 24:32. His lesson is there for us all to read in 24:33-34.
This proverb challenged me to apply my heart to what I had seen on our walk this morning and to share with you the lesson I learned from the run down property in our neighborhood. The neglected house reminded me of what can happen to our lives if we neglect matters of the spirit. When we fail to diligently and regularly attend to the maintenance of our relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, the word of God, prayer and fellowship with other Christ-followers, life begins to decay.
That house in our neighborhood was once some family's dream home, filled with joy and hope for the future. Now it is a lifeless shell; laughter silenced; a symbol of dashed hopes and broken dreams. We must be very intentional about caring for our spiritual lives. Otherwise the insidious deterioration of neglect will leave us lifeless and without hope. Who wants to live like that?
Thursday, July 12, 2012
God's Seeking Heart
An old friend from high school nearly 50 years ago contacted me last week. It was so good to talk to him and to share news of our lives with each other. There was joy and laughter and it was obvious that the sense of humor that marked our friendship so long ago was still in tact.
It was fun and uplifting to get caught up with my old friend but the thing that blessed me most about his call was the effort to which he went in order to find me. He took the initiative to reach out to me; to keep our friendship alive if only briefly and over a long distance. I mattered that much to my old friend and I let him know how much it meant to me for him to locate and contact me after so many years.
This reminded me of how much God loves each of us and how very important we are to Him; so much that, like a shepherd who leaves the whole flock to go looking for one lost lamb, God will look for us to keep us in the safety of fellowship with Him (Mt 18:12-14).
God reached out to us long before we ever thought of seeking Him out. Maybe one way of showing gratitude for God's seeking heart would be to reach out to someone and let them know that they matter and that they have not been forgotten.
It was fun and uplifting to get caught up with my old friend but the thing that blessed me most about his call was the effort to which he went in order to find me. He took the initiative to reach out to me; to keep our friendship alive if only briefly and over a long distance. I mattered that much to my old friend and I let him know how much it meant to me for him to locate and contact me after so many years.
This reminded me of how much God loves each of us and how very important we are to Him; so much that, like a shepherd who leaves the whole flock to go looking for one lost lamb, God will look for us to keep us in the safety of fellowship with Him (Mt 18:12-14).
God reached out to us long before we ever thought of seeking Him out. Maybe one way of showing gratitude for God's seeking heart would be to reach out to someone and let them know that they matter and that they have not been forgotten.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Celebrating Our Freedom
It has become an American tradition to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks. I remember the squeals of joy that came from our kids when the sparklers, cones and bottle rockets were lit and illuminated the darkness in vivid colors.
Unfortunately, but for good reason, many communities across this nation banned fireworks due to dry conditions and high fire danger. Our neighborhood banned fireworks this year partially because of the dry conditions but also because of a fireworks-caused blaze last year that consumed a lot of dry grass and came dangerously close to some homes.
The ban this year was well publicized; signs at all entrances to the neighborhood, email to all residents and a reminder in the neighborhood newspaper. Notices of the ban also emphasized an increase of law enforcement patrols as well as possible fines to ensure compliance. The purpose was not to stifle fun and celebration but to protect public and private property.
I was not shocked but disappointed when someone on our street was outdoors with their small children last night lighting fireworks.
Defiance of a legitimate public restriction is bad enough but to teach children by example that it's ok to make your own exceptions to the rules does nothing to help them become responsible citizens.
The apostle Paul was talking about spiritual freedom in the context of this verse but, for God's people, it applies in any exercise of liberty: You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Gal 5:13-14 NIV).
Let's teach our kids to honor civil authority as a way of expressing love for neighbor and serving others above self. Let's teach them that 'it's NOT all about me'!
Unfortunately, but for good reason, many communities across this nation banned fireworks due to dry conditions and high fire danger. Our neighborhood banned fireworks this year partially because of the dry conditions but also because of a fireworks-caused blaze last year that consumed a lot of dry grass and came dangerously close to some homes.
The ban this year was well publicized; signs at all entrances to the neighborhood, email to all residents and a reminder in the neighborhood newspaper. Notices of the ban also emphasized an increase of law enforcement patrols as well as possible fines to ensure compliance. The purpose was not to stifle fun and celebration but to protect public and private property.
I was not shocked but disappointed when someone on our street was outdoors with their small children last night lighting fireworks.
Defiance of a legitimate public restriction is bad enough but to teach children by example that it's ok to make your own exceptions to the rules does nothing to help them become responsible citizens.
The apostle Paul was talking about spiritual freedom in the context of this verse but, for God's people, it applies in any exercise of liberty: You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Gal 5:13-14 NIV).
Let's teach our kids to honor civil authority as a way of expressing love for neighbor and serving others above self. Let's teach them that 'it's NOT all about me'!
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