“His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.” Job 1:4-5
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6
“So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” Luke 8:18
I am reflecting today on these three scriptures, as a critical motivational and guidance tool: Job 1:4-5, Philippians 4:6, and Luke 8:18. It occurs to me from the readings that it’s essential to proceed cautiously in how we live life. To each orchestrated step to be mindful it’s pleasing to God, especially in those situations that may be hazy, unclear if it offends the spirit of grace. Immediately I am drawn to Job’s way. Let’s call it the principle of ‘Peradventure caution,’ that sense of check to do right by appealing to the spirit of grace through prayer, and a committal to God all that you have experienced or that you have connection or responsibility for, in good hope you will continually be pleasing to God, with an assurance He will guide all to come. It’s the detail and mindfulness to care what God thinks, a healthy fear of God and seeking His eye of love and favour. Such a remarkable place to be. Almost, lifting one’s head to ask is this okay with you?
Job in scriptures is shown to have influence and responsibility for his children, so after each celebration, he prays for them and offers a sacrifice or gift to God, but the rationale for this we are told is, should in case, peradventure, they did something stupid. What a spiritual covering. Its a prayer like this, Lord I am not sure about this step, but please guide me in what just happened. Its such a fine line. Its different from knowing its wrong, then it would be a prayer of repentance and forgiveness needed. To just say God I messed up, be gracious to me and help me next time, to pass every test, grant me divine strength, because surely I am going to need it. But in cases like this, its that grey line, still being processed, one of no clear knowledge.
It is the place of intercession, for another who might be caught up in true joy and had had no time to reflect on what they just said or did. Could it be because everyone does it? Could it be you didn’t really think that gift was way inappropriate without disclosing it to a spouse? Could it be as a younger person you have not really grown yet to understand completely the implication of what you said or did? Could it be that you’re 100% sure you were in the right but you could have just hurt the right person?
How about some care about how you speak, how you hear, how you think. Humility requires in a human nature of incomplete facts and limitations every now and then to say dear God, I commit everything to you. In dark places let light in, in crooked places make it straight, in a cloud of doubt let clarity come. Show me what I need to know, and hide what I shouldn’t. For those committed to my trust, rather than judge them harshly, of what they should know or not know, I pray for covering and I intercede that if in their excitement and fun they sin, that some mercy prevail, and you guide them to do right. In all take charge of every strange place or situation. And that while you do not judge us or punish us for having fun and love, show us how not to pass the line, or edge too close to being perceived in as unhinged. In all help us who love you have a good conscience, and seek what is good. Even so now I pray, amen.
I think you can take a moment to reflect on five mental pictures of a range of activities you can ensure do not tip over the edge, from normal pleasure to sinful action- in sport, work, executive decisions, party time, or civil action? For instance, how can I not unhelpfully kick things into the long grass that I can rightfully help in now?
God bless.
Evangelist Israel Okunwaye
