Happy Let’s-go-for-a-walk-Saturday, friends!
I got back a few minutes ago from an unplanned-but-pleasant walk around a few blocks of our neighborhood.
A few homes in our neighborhood are having garage sales this weekend.
I don’t always go “sale-ing” but when I do, I need it to be really convenient and I need comfortable temperatures.
This morning met both of those qualifications. I didn’t buy anything and I didn’t walk far (partly because I didn’t put on my serious walking clothes or shoes), but it was a glorious 61 degrees when I left the house and that put a little extra spring in my steps.
I didn’t know what I would find when I left, nor was I sure of the route I would take, but it was a nice walk.
Some Saturdays my pondering goes the same way. I don’t have a plan or a particular story to tell. I just read and sing my daily hymn, read my daily Bible chapter, and start writing—with no idea where it will come out.
I just hope for a pleasant and encouraging journey for all of us.
My hymn text this morning was a simple worship song written in 1984.
“I Will Come and Bow Down” (Martin Nystrom, 1984)
I know that a song like this can be seen as self-centered. It talks about my joy and my pleasure.
Every so often I read an article by some well-intentioned worshipper concerned about taking the attention off God and losing the rich theology communicated by the enduring hymns of the faith.
Every so often I read another article by some well-intentioned worshipper concerned that we are singing ABOUT God to the neglect of singing TO God.
In each case, I wonder if maybe we should focus more on worshiping and less on writing articles! (That is partly tongue-in-cheek).
A cursory review of the Psalms will reveal that there are many ways to worship.
What is clear is WHO we worship.
What is varied and nuanced is HOW we worship and WHAT we say (or sing) in worship.
And, if I recall correctly, (I do) Jesus mentioned the fullness of joy for His followers on more than one occasion.
And, before anyone wants to make a big distinction between “joy” and “happiness,” just … don’t.
That’s also much more nuanced in Scripture than in our Christian cliches. I have been guilty of using the old “happiness has to do with happenings” line. I have resolved never to use it again.
My Bible chapter today was 2 Thessalonians 3. Verse 13 caught my attention today.
“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”
Paul said almost the exact same thing in Galatians 6:9.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
I used the New International Version translation of both those verses to compare the two. The word translated “tire” in 2 Thessalonians and the word translated “weary” in Galatians are the same word.
It can have to do with being physically tired, but more often it is about becoming discouraged, giving up, or losing heart.
I’ve been physically exhausted-yet-energized when I’ve been doing work in which I could see benefit for someone else.
But sometimes, we give of ourselves for the sake of the community and the kingdom and we can’t see that it made a lick of difference.
(My inner redneck sometimes shows up in my colloquialisms).
It’s not new to our time in history—as evidenced by Paul’s words of encouragement almost 2000 years ago.
Here’s where this Saturday walk around the neighborhood is returning home.
I see a correlation between these two ideas:
Experiencing joy AS A RESULT of worshipping the Lord is not the same as worshipping SO THAT we can experience joy.
Being energized and fulfilled AS A RESULT of doing good is not the same as doing good SO THAT we can be energized and fulfilled.
Don’t be discouraged and give up because you’re not feeling it or seeing it right now.
Trust His faithfulness and keep going.
Be amazing today, my friend.
