Aliens and Tenants

Even though these are the words God spoke to Moses regarding the possession of land, leading to the year of Jubilee, it wondered how much better our lives would be if we took the same perspective:

"The land must not be sold permanently because the land is mine and you are but aliens and tenants."

How much contentment might there be in remembering that it is all His. We're just enjoying it for a while.  And, while there is nothing wrong with having nice things, holding those things loosely gives a new-found freedom.  Enjoy what you have, but if the price of having something else, something more costs too much of your life, your heart, your love, your peace; let it go.  It's not worth such a price for something that is so temporary.

Those "Nevertheless" Folks

I'm sure everyone has those "nevertheless" folks in your life.  You know, the ones that ask you for advice, help, suggestions, and then do just the opposite.  I am following a chronological Bible reading plan for this year, it caught my attention that Moses dealt had those in his crowd, too.

They were told, 'Hey! Since you're grumbling so, God's going to send you some food.  It will show up in the morning.  Get just what you need for the day and don't keep it overnight.'

"Some of them paid no attention to Moses and kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots...."

SMH.

Give it a couple of days and now it's the day before the Sabbath.  Moses tells them, 'Look, gather enough for today and tomorrow because there isn't going to be any out here on the Sabbath.'

"Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none."


Nevertheless people exasperate me.  I have little patience or pity for those who won't take instruction. And my tendency is to shake my head and wipe my hands and walk away mumbling under my breath, "I told you so."

But Moses had compassion on these 'nevertheless' people.  Yes, he got angry.  Yes, he lost it a few times.  But he always came back to a place of compassion for them.  He prayed for them, he pleaded for them and he never walked away from his opportunity to lead them to follow God.

My challenge is to stop shaking my head and shake off my impatience. To pray for the 'nevertheless' folks that I know, to plead on their behalf.  And then, when given the opportunity, continue to lead them to what God has for their next steps.

Back to the Scratchpad

Wow.  Looking back it's been 3 years since I've attempted to blog, or post, or share, or whatever you call putting your thoughts down somewhere and letting other people read them. I've decided it would be better called a scratchpad.  Just some where to scribble down my thoughts, whether they are inspired by me, or Him, or the salsa that I ate last night.  I like having a scratchpad that I can look back at, read through again and decide if those thoughts represent something I need to act on, or just something I needed to say out loud, or in writing, and then continue on with my day.

And having them here will help clear off my desk from stacks like this:

Note pads scribbled with thoughts and ideas and other distractions that occur to me when I'm in the middle of doing something else!

So if no one else ever benefits from anything written here, at least I should end up with a cleaner desk. 

Here's to a better scratchpad.