Saturday, June 16, 2018

16 June 2018 - circumstantial irrelevance



Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.'
Anything more is from the Evil One."

Our language ought to reflect the fact that we don't control circumstances. We "cannot make a single hair white or black." We often feel the need to add assurance to our language that we cannot actually assure. How much easier it could be if we all accept that there are many things in this world beyond our control. If we are better with our own language we will be better about the oaths we take in the name of God, whether for marriage, or for public office, or whatever other reason there might be. We know then that we ask what we ourselves cannot guarantee of our own. We realize that in oaths like that we rely on the strength of God. By not muddying the waters with vague promises we speak but cannot guarantee we keep clear the room for legitimate oaths well taken.

If we learn to rely on the LORD we can be more like Elisha, who is ultimately able to let go of controlling circumstances around him in order to follow Elijah.

Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them;
he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh,
and gave it to his people to eat.

He does what he can do. But he doesn't insist on remaining with the people to ensure that nothing ever goes wrong or that they always have enough. Such assurance is beyond him. The right thing for him to do is to follow the call of God and to trust in his providence. And this he does.

Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

If we can let go of our own need to control we can even follow Jesus when he tells us that "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (see Luke 9:62). When God calls, we can trust the circumstances to him. We don't have to be in control because God is in control.

I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. 





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