Dodging a despot’s paranoia

𝟭 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝟮𝟮:𝟴 ” 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲? 𝗡𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲. 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.”

David was a rising star in Israel. The esteem he was held in had surpassed that of King Saul. That didn’t just irk Saul, it drove him into deep suspicion.

There was presumed treachery that filled Saul’s heart and his thinking:

𝟭 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝟭𝟴:𝟴 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝘆; 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗹𝘆. “𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀,” 𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁, “𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺?”

Now, Samuel the prophet had already told Saul that he had been rejected as king – by God. Saul’s hold on power, then, was only by human means. And in the tradition of royal families, there was a dynasty to be upheld and defended. Threats like David needed to be eliminated.

But David had no intention of overthrowing Saul; he served the king with exemplary loyalty. He was NOT, as the king accused, lying in wait for him. He was fleeing for his life from a murderous tyrant.

The paranoia that governs the life of some in power causes acts of malice towards even the most innocent and upstanding people under them. Indeed, the worst thing you can do under a tyrant is do your job well. Any acclaim that comes your way is perceived as something taken away from the despot. There can only be one star – the ruler.

While autocratic, tyrannical, even murderous rulers do exist in the world even today I am thankful to never have one running political things where I have lived; at least to the extent of hunting down their enemies to kill them physically. However, the controlling spirit of stultifying leadership is everywhere, and I have seen that.

If I’m under such an authority, I do think it’s God’s will and self-preservation to escape or hideout in the corners such as David did. While it is part of any employment to do what it takes to advance the corporation or organization, being slain in reputation, limited in future development or otherwise discredited and disparaged is harmful to the soul. I have been there; and my refuge was lateral movement. Escape is not always possible, so shelter is advisable. I prayed, I moved as I saw opportunity.

If I AM in a role of authority, woe to me if I become jealous towards those who report to me – I need to fight that zealously. For indeed, may they be more gifted and productive than I am. I need to promote them, even above and beyond me, seeing my role in their lives as nurturer, even for a short season. And in that role, I rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15), at any advancement.

Hierarchy is solidly scriptural and may I live in the structure with a heart after God.

Fellowship of murderers

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟭𝟱:𝟳‭, ‬𝟭𝟭 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘀 …. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱.

The annual prisoner freedom ritual was meant to keep the peace between Rome and those of occupied Israel. There is no biblical record of it being done throughout the Roman Empire, but that would be consistent with the concessions made to maintain control yet allow some local political fervor to simmer. Indeed, the Pax Romana (Peace of Rome) operated at the tips of swords and spears. So, not really peace at all.

That Barabbas was a murderer (likely of one of the opponents of Israel) was an appeal to his candidacy for release. But that he was a murderer at all was perhaps more so, for his advocates were actively using Roman force to murder the One who served neither their aspirations nor that of Rome – Jesus Christ. He was far scarier than any mere criminal or insurrectionist, because His insurrection was against their sin and corrupt authority. He had to go.

The riddle of the cross is that when humankind does its worst, God’s best results. Murderers free murderers and at some level even flaunt their actions with a destructive arrogance that hurts themselves more than anyone else. God pays love forward through His Son and establishes eternal supremacy over the small reign of small people.

The cross wins. Always and forever. In my life and that of all humanity.

Objections to the ordained

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟮𝟭:𝟭𝟱‭-‬𝟭𝟲 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲, “𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱!” 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺, “𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴?” 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, “𝗬𝗲𝘀; 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱, “‘𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲’?”

Indignation – anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment – is a human sentiment that can be produced by a perceived lack of respect or regard for high position and authority. Rank rebellion very often creates indignation among the powers that be, because it is a challenge to their position as the powers that be. In the praise that accompanied Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, there was high regard afforded the Lord for all he had done for people. The chief priests and scribes had never been praised like that. It was not rebellion but celebration. Yet, they were angry.

Jesus did not back down when they confronted him. This “riff raff” was acting in complete propriety. The infants and young children were glorifying God in the person of His Son. At the core of the objection was his identity. And THAT was at the core of why he was executed; the authorities accused him of blasphemy.

The Lord had prepared – ordained – the praise of the people. It was predestined that the people would shout “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (21:9). And Jesus was predestined to ride the donkey into town (Zechariah 9:9, more than 500 years before). The accomplishment of God’s ordained plans dwarfs the intents and wranglings of potentates and their minions, however powerful and exalted.

Am I among those laying down their cloaks and palm branches to welcome this gentle King riding the donkey? Or am I objecting to the hubbub and fuss? Do I crown him King or just a momentary celebrity who had some healing powers? It is a critical decision to this day.

Jesus is Lord.

Expensive worship

Mark 14:4-5 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

At the house of Simon the (former) Leper, a woman had come forth and poured some very expensive perfume on the head of Jesus. It was a personal as well as public display of affection, devotion and honor. From the container used to the fragrance it emitted, everything about the action testified to fine, expensive quality of the liquid.

Immediately some who were present had attitudes about the woman’s actions. They thought it a foolish, wasteful thing to do. The value of the perfume would have brought in significant monies to be given to help the poor. It was never their perfume, yet they seemed to claim it with their high brow charitable concerns. And by inference, they both demeaned the woman who made the offering and Jesus Himself, who received it.

Attempts to control and manipulate the actions of others are deeply arrogant and insulting. Projecting attitudes and inferiority onto others has the appearance of establishing authority and dominance of them, but it reveals a poverty of soul and often has a basis in shame. Jesus very quickly defended the actions of the woman as being devoted and prophetic. His words “The poor you will have with you always” in no way discounted charity, but pointed to the singularly appropriate nature of the pouring of the perfume.

Part of the reason for donations being kept private is to avoid this very second-guessing and accusatory judgment of those who want to decide for everyone how things are done. But when such things are NOT private, unless I am asked, let me not interject opinions or even principles of how I would do things, let alone cast judgment on the hearts of others in how manage their resources.

The breadth of ways people worship God is mine to observe in deep wonder, not to control or manage. He is worthy of it all.

The workings of insecure leadership

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟮:𝟯-𝟰 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀, 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗺; 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻.

Herod sensed rivalry, a threat to his rule and dynasty. A king had been born. Magi from the east had arrived and announced it. The news troubled all Jerusalem, for it represented a potential upset of order. The Messiah’s advent would mean upheaval and violent overthrow of the powers that be. For Herod’s part, though, taking the wise men seriously spoke about his tenuous security in his own power and position. He was part Edomite in a day when people of mixed breed were not accepted as fully Jewish. And he was a brutal dictator, executing people randomly and killing several members of his own family.

The slaughter of little boys in Bethlehem that followed was in keeping with his style of reign. It is but one of many biblical accounts of rivalry-driven repression and violence. From the first murder of Abel by his approval-jealous brother Cain, to the misadventures of spear-chucking King Saul and on into this account, even the appearance of challenging some people is a good way to get hunted and killed.

On a lesser but equally distressing scale – manipulation, reassignment and dismissal of those who could and would work as ultra-productive, servant-minded contributors, even if they one day rise to equal or higher rank and responsibility. While never ordering the slaughter of young children, some leaders would gladly clean house of people who might surpass their abilities and authority.

The inability/unwillingness to delegate often has rivalry at its heart. It cripples both corporations and bodies of believers. It is not tolerated to have a delegee surpass his/her superior.

The application is obviously two-sided. As one with any authority, do I squash the development of those looking to me for support or help? Of course there can be outright sedition and rebellion, but disagreement and different ways of doing things are not that; they may well be an improvement. No, as an authority, let me be one who nurtures and delegates power and work with joy.

As one reporting into hierarchy, let me not internalize being pushed aside. There is plenty to learn, even about my own temperament and limitations, but the motives of the mini-Herods do not allow my development, let me learn to move with God’s timing and direction to a place where I can grow. David hid in caves for a season of his life, where he wrote songs for his God, sung to his mighty men.

Blessing for the outcast

Genesis 21:17-18 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

Sarah had given Hagar, her Egyptian servant, to Abraham with whom to make offspring for her (Sarah) because she was barren.  They did the deed and Hagar bore Ishmael.  THEN the promise came from the Lord that Sarah herself would bear a child in her old age, which she did, and named him Isaac (Hebrew for “laughter”).  When the celebration of Isaac’s birth happened, Hagar was in attendance and Sarah saw her laughing.  She was immediately enraged and told Abraham to cast out Hagar and her child from his family.  So he did.

Hagar then went away into the wilderness and decided to abandon her young boy there, leaving him to die.  In anguish she cried out to God, who answered in the verses above. 

The obvious and poignant parallel with the modern anguished decisions to abort a child or give him/her up for adoption is loud and clear.  For abandonment and being cast out from a relationship and all manner of a place to live, raise and care for a child is extremely common in such decisions.  God’s answer to Hagar is tender and full of promise also.  He will make the child a great nation!  Nation-founding will not be the destiny of every child, but destitution and poverty won’t either.  Hope screams from these verses if one is listening.

So, my/our part in the drama is to make the future less frightening.  If someone is pro-life, that person can NOT be just pro-birth, that would be Sarah’s stance and though God granted her request, the great lady hardly stands in righteousness at this point.  For God met Hagar; it’s why we have these verses.  And that counters Sarah’s indignant exclusion with profound grace and mercy.

Culturally, my people and nation have been at extreme odds with the offspring of Ishmael.  God had earlier announced

Genesis 16:12 He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.

.. which has been fulfilled.  But this scene with Hagar MUST soften my heart towards the Arab people.  God loves them, and so must I.  So I pray for that love to grow, tender yet strong.  For God has made Ishmael into a great nation.

Punitive, limiting miracles

Acts 13:11 “Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”

Simon Bar-Jesus, aka Elymus the sorcerer, was opposing the message of the gospel as Paul and Barnabas were preaching it to the proconsul of the area, Sergius Paulus.  The narrative says that Simon tried to turn Sergius from the faith, so instead of a presentation of the gospel, Paul and Barnabas had a debate on their hands.

Paul would have none of it.  In what appears to be human annoyance, he pronounces the mini-judgment on Simon cited above.  But it actually comes to pass and Elymus the sorcerer transforms into Elymus the groper, needing to feel his way around the room because he was indeed blind.  And seeing that, the proconsul Sergius believed in Jesus.

I don’t know if they call this a punitive miracle, one performed in judgment of sin and opposition to the word of God.  Paul’s first encounter with Christ was exactly this – blindness for a time.  And this was not the only time Paul would be used to silence what was an annoying, distracting voice to the message of Jesus.  In Acts 16, Paul cast out a clairvoyant spirit out of a servant girl who was harassing them, for which he and Silas were thrown in prison.

In the stories around these supernatural limiting works there seems to be a common thread of Paul being annoyed or bothered.  So, when he loses his human patience, God smites someone with blindness.  It can seem picky and trite.

But what is common in each case is the presentation of the good news of Jesus Christ.  THAT is what is being hindered, bothered and blunted.  And the negative works happen to allow salvation of the hearers of the message.

It is very silly for believers to think they can call down the judgment of God on people who they don’t like, who perhaps have hurt them or their feelings.  That’s not God’s judgment at all but only man’s.  And human beings are not given that gift; they simply do not have the equipment.

But let me not miss God’s protection of the presentation of the gospel.  Let me know I can take authority over anyone who get in its way – not in MY way, but in the way of salvation coming to this earth.  Lest I get on a high horse, let me learn what may happen to me should I get in the way of the Good News going forth.  For God will perform miracles in a wide variety to bear witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.

However I am called to preach and teach, let me know that He attends His word and causes it to accomplish that for which it was sent.

Conflict gone ballistic

Acts 6:11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

They had heard no such thing. Stephen simply had used the same scriptures they used to selectively enforce their oppressive reign over the people to show that Jesus was and is God the Son. And he was unbeaten in his debates; they simply had no answer for him.

So, out of that defeat and wounded pride came a set of false accusations that would eventually result in Stephen’s death. But first he would win one last debate – in front of the whole council of religious leaders.

The act of escalating a debate out of envy and malicious vengeance always produces overkill. But those who do it are pleased to gloat over their victory, however achieved. But it is of course no conflict resolution – it is only escalation to higher authorities who may or may not have the insight or even the compassion to judge or contend fairly and justly.

Do I handle conflict like this? Do I scheme, gather secret consensus and ally myself with those whose only agreement with me is resentment towards my foe? Certainly I can and must appeal to God my Father, both for encouragement and correction. But concerning correction – do I even entertain the possibility that I might be in the wrong? Am I refusing to learn, thinking I know it all? If so, I must remember the wisdom of humility, though it cost me some esteem for a time.

And when I am like Stephen, the winner of debate and the one who finishes atop my competitors, do I seek to reconcile with them, to re-establish peace and safety as much as is possible? We aren’t told about Stephen’s entreaties to his opponents; whether he approached them as friends after contending with them as ideological enemies. Whatever happened, there clearly was no reconciliation and matters only grew worse.

It’s not that peace is the ultimate goal. But it’s definitely one goal. Stephen was fighting, as any believer should, to proclaim the truth. Yet truth without mercy can be very cruel. Again, not being sure of what Stephen said or did, let me be sure to mend relationships when there has been the heat of debate or the bone of contention.

The need to slow down

Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Martha was a great hostess. If you were to have a party and wanted everything to be set up, clean, beautiful and functional, she was the person to make it so. Now there are basically two motivations for activity like that – 1) fear of what others think and might say and 2) an attitude of loving service. I think we see enough of Martha’s words and actions to conclude her motivation was fear. And she wanted others to enter into that fear – specifically Mary her sister. She wanted Jesus to exert His authority to force Mary to help her in her frenetic work. Her words even accused Jesus of not having correct motives – “don’t you care?” – as if her heart was in a better place than the Lord of glory.

It’s important to see that Jesus didn’t condemn Martha. He didn’t slam her with biting criticism that laid bare her vain heart. He instead gently pointed out that Mary was acting on better motivation than Martha. Mary wanted to hear from Jesus and that was more important than a house out of order or unprepared dip or finger food. It’s not that preparations didn’t have to be made and visitors didn’t have to be served – they did. It was just the attitude and rush that Martha had and wanted everyone else to have that needed confrontation. The food prep could wait – why not have the guests even help?

Do I demand that others join me in my anxious wranglings? Do I ask God to assign worry warts to surround me and help me? Do I even fret the small stuff, forgetting that I only need to chill and then I will find Jesus giving me all I need?

The message is simple yet hard to receive and practice – slow down! I mean I am paid to go fast, and faster still. I am compensated to be impatient – I’m not inventing that, just doing what my occupation calls for. Yet Jesus interrupts all of that, telling me this other relaxed one has chosen the better portion. Why am I working so hard? Why so fearfully? Let me hear the rhythms of God this day and pace myself, taking moments off to pray and breathe in grace. I need this real time – in the middle of things. And I need this at the beginning – as I prepare for the day. Bless the Lord O my soul.

Acceptable gratitude

Genesis 4:4-5 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Coming right after God’s proclamation of the punishment/consequence of the disobedience of their father Adam, his two sons are seen giving an offering to God as an act of worship. It’s not a mystery as to why the offering of Abel was accepted and Cain’s was not. It is not the thing being offered but the attitude of that offering. Now, the proclamation of consequence (Gen 3:17-19) had stressed the hard work by which the land would yield its sustenance for human life. So we know that both Abel and Cain worked hard for that which they were offering in part. Yet, Abel was able (!) to foster gratitude for what he had though life wasn’t easy. Cain’s begrudging attitude soiled his devotional life, making it duty and not relationship. And once he saw Abel’s offering acceptable while his was not, envy and enmity sprung up that ultimately caused him to kill his own brother.

Let me learn and be offering what I have without moaning about my own exhaustion or all the personal struggles required to obtain it. Let me learn to let God redeem both my work life and the ethic that energizes it. And most of all, let me learn to love people -one at a time if that’s what it takes – as God does that he will bring them into knowledge of his love and salvation.