Content Is King, But Timing Is Everything
Much as I love a good movie, I have to confess that there have been quite a few "blockbusters" that either made no sense to me or were so tedious/convoluted, I gave up halfway through.
I'm talking Twelve Monkeys, Backdraft, anything-by-Stanley-Kubrick sort of weird. And this is from one who struggles through many an unwatchable film simply because of the effort I know has been put into it making it. There are times that doesn't pay though.
Life imitates art once again. In totally unexpected situations. During morning devotionals, for instance. There are books in the Bible which leave me puzzled. Complicated enough to make me want to live permanently in the Psalms, or so boring I scan through the pages as if speed-reading was invented for me.
Not seeing it? Then you probably happened on this account by mistake. This is for anyone who periodically skips/skips through the books of Numbers, Song of Songs, and Revelation.
If you’re not wondering why this happens, read on.
If you’re thinking, "Why would she do such a terrible thing?!", your attention is needed elsewhere. 🕶
On a (slightly) more serious note, I got to thinking how paper has a distinct advantage over HTML. When you are in no doubt that what the vet said or did about the vomiting cat is of no interest whatsoever to you, there's a certain tactile pleasure in turning the pages with a deft middle finger.
The array of double arrows on a player/remote control? Devised in hell to send you so far back you don't remember what you wanted to hear again, or so far forward something completely different piques your interest. Whichever it is, you wonder why you bothered.
Having said that, Scripture does extol the joys of hearing the word of God*, and I now see why.
A few years ago I switched to a chronological Bible and began listening to my daily passages. Simplicity itself. True, I can’t escape all the aforementioned skippables which are still largely unfathomable, but hey - it may all make sense one day. Plus, hearing them actually makes them a tad more interesting.
Song of Songs though!
Risqué or what!!
Albeit informative in an “I-never-thpught-I'd-need-to-know-that" kind of way.
Whether you cry yay or nay, because it takes double meanings to a whole new level, I was already at squirming/winking point yesterday when the following words made me stop. And check the written text. In multiple translations.
"Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem: Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe—and you’re ready."**
Which strangely enough put paid to any other thought but timing; our preparedness and a willingness to go the distance.
Many a time I've been fired up for God and shooting from all cylinders, then just as quickly slipped back into old ways because the journey was not to my liking.
Too boring.
Too humbling.
Too poverty-inducing.
Too stressful.
Altogether too much work.
And not at all what it says in the Psalms...
I therefore see Solomon's warning as apt. We wouldn't consider half-heartedly venturing into a business deal a good move, so why should following Christ in like-fashion (when your very souls are at stake) be any different?
We all know the story of Elisha whom God named as a successor to Elijah.*** The older prophet famously threw his mantle over the younger's shoulders to denote his new office, however the latter failed to leave with his new mentor.
It's commonly thought that because Elisha stayed home to burn his plough and roast his slaughtered oxen on the burning logs, it was so that he would have nothing to fall back on should he have second thoughts. But I’m pretty sure it was that he realised there never would be anything worth going back to that compared with the enormity of God's assignment.
One precious jewel.****
A big one, which requires all of our attention.
Therefore I personally see no issue with being certain it is the life for us. Better that than wade in and out until even ice-cold water seems lukewarm.
When the time is right - when you have exhausted all excuses and everything else has lost its lustre - attack the life He offers with gusto. It deserves nothing less.
#Don'tLookBack
References
*But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims, A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God! But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to. (Romans 10:14-17 MSG)
**Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem: Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe—and you’re ready.(Song of Solomon 8:4 MSG)
***So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!” Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.” So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant. (1 Kings 19:19-21 NLT)
****The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when someone finds a treasure hidden in a field and buries it again. Such a person is happy and goes and sells everything in order to buy that field. The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a shop owner is looking for fine pearls. After finding a very valuable one, the owner goes and sells everything in order to buy that pearl. (Matthew 13:44-46 CEV)
#Luke 9:61-62 ● Still another said to him, “Lord, I want to follow you too. But first let me go home and say good-bye to my entire family.” Jesus responded, “Why do you keep looking backward to your past and have second thoughts about following me? When you turn back you are useless to God’s kingdom realm.” (TPT)