Scripture Passage
Slim Pickens
Scripture Focus
The leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were. And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 11:1-2 NLT)
Observation
I confess—at first glance today’s reading seems like “slim pickin’s” to me—no, not "Pickens" the actor but "pickin's"—the factor! I’ve concluded that I’m a much bigger fan of “Bible stories” than Bible facts and figures. Still, today’s reading gives some interesting insight into the challenges of repopulating Jerusalem as the renewed city begins to take shape. Apparently, though the Temple has been rebuilt and the walls have been restored, the people have been slow to relocate!
I can understand! People have “lives”—places they live…communities they call home. However dire the circumstances at home and however promising the opportunities elsewhere, most people are understandably reluctant to walk away from what they know toward something so unknown. In this case, the generally dismal conditions at Jerusalem would have made such a move even more difficult. Even given the work on the Temple and the city walls, Jerusalem remained far removed from the glory days she had known under Solomon. Still, people did come—some encouraged to do so having been chosen by lot, and others who simply volunteered.
Meditating on this a bit challenges me to consider whether I’m really as “in charge” of my life as I think—or if I should be! As to the first possibility…here are people whose entire existence has been directed for them by forces beyond their own control (with the same having been true for their parents). I’m confident Nebuchadnezzar didn’t bother asking about any preferences when he carted the Israelites off to Babylon! And no Israelite freed himself or herself from Babylonian captivity. They were only allowed to return home at the decree of Cyrus, King of Persia. Given the liberties I happen to enjoy as a 21st century American, still, it’s a bit myopic to presume my life is my own to direct as I wish. The fact is, all of that could change at any moment and (don’t misread this—I’m not a gloom-and-doom guy, but) I probably need to loosen my grip on this deceptive sense of autonomy.
Besides (and beyond) all that—my life is not my own, anyway, is it? And in that sense, my life—fully submitted to Christ—is wonderfully far beyond the reach of even kings and despots who may think by decree they’ve directed my days. My life belongs to the One who is King over all kings and Lord over all lords. Therefore I should know this: Every external force impacting my life does so only in submission to God’s sovereignty and through the filter of God’s care. And I should do this: Recognize those deceptive internal impulses to choose my own days and my own ways and continually bring myself into full submission to my King.
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