ser·en·dip·i·ty
ˌserənˈdipitē
noun
1. the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. “a fortunate stroke of serendipity” synonyms: (happy) chance, (happy) accident, fluke
Many times when Our Father thinks that I’m not paying attention very well – He likes to slam things through various readings, encounters, and… even… a few FB posts. By the end of the day, I’m usually shaking my head and saying: “Enough already – I get it!”
But if I don’t act on it, did I really ‘GET IT”?
And usually – that’s my problem. I “get” the message, but I don’t carry it forward. When Rabbe Jesus was doing His thing, He delivered His messages in multiple stories, knowing that different stories resonate with different people. Twelve disciples + 24 ears + plus a million different interpretations (because we often hear what we want to hear) = a lot of LIGHT to share. And that was the message for today. From the first thing I encountered to the message I read just before I started to type this journal: LIGHT. Even to the childhood song that has been bouncing in my head off and on today:
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.”
Rabbe Jesus expanded on the Jewish wisdom of his time. In Exodus, Aaron was told to burn incense every time he trimmed the wicks of the tabernacle lamps. Then it repeats the instruction for trimming the lamps at night as well. According to Jewish wisdom to get the best light from oil lamps, you have to trim the wicks…twice a day. (Ex 30:7) Simple chores for a “young” people just beginning to grow in their faith.
Rabbe Jesus took it just another step further. Light became not an actual thing sitting in a tent covered by the cloud of God. Rather, it became an internal choice lit by the Son of God within each of us. One that we should pay attention to twice a day… by studying the Bible (giving oil to your lamp)…and prayer (trimming the wick). So that as you go about your daily walk, people will see your “LIGHT” in all that you do. “Let your Light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matt 5:16
LIGHT that we choose to share. LIGHT pleasing and glorifying Our Father (just as the incense was in Exodus). LIGHT illumines the path. LIGHT pierces the darkness. LIGHT spreading throughout the world …”all around the neighborhood”…NOT hidden “under a bushel…as long as we “don’t let Satan blow it out.” Rabbe Jesus did all of that on His walk towards Jerusalem. He went into all the neighborhoods, didn’t hide and didn’t let Satan stop Him. That is His challenge to me and you on this lenten journey.
PS: Needless to say, serendipity does work. Thanks, God.
thoughtsong7 