"Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little." Isaiah 28:10
"Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little." Isaiah 28:10
I have been awed and humbled by the way messages come when I am preparing for Sunday School. Especially when the Lesson Sermon of the week is not Love, or Truth, or Substance but the harder theology lessons such as the Doctrine of Atonement. Some weeks it takes a section or two before these lovely inspirations come. And then, suddenly, a winged thought transforms the whole meaning and up I go. It’s wonderful.
Just today - I am writing this a few days before our Association - a beautiful meaning of what it is to receive a gift came to thought. For the first time I had obeyed what we learned during last year's wonderful address on the Lesson-Sermon: that we should study the whole Lesson each day, and then go back to the section for the day of the week in detail. I had always made excuses that there wasn't enough time to do this each day; I needed to get to work, make that 'phone call, or honour a promise made to do something for someone. So I always felt a bit guilty that I wasn't doing my 'stuff' properly.
This morning was no different to start with; I had to get to work! But I felt a proper prod to get on with it and revisit a section, albeit a day late. Although today was Tuesday, I thought I should begin at the beginning, so revisited Monday's citations. And I am so glad I did! For the very first Bible verse leapt out in huge letters: "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6: 23). The thought came as if someone had spoken. "What is so important about a gift?" Why! Acceptance! If a gift is being given to us, then it is our job to accept it. Properly, humbly, and with thanks.
What happens if a gift should remain unopened, unused, with all its goodness still wrapped up? Then came my 'convincer', my seconding thought: "The goodness remains. It cannot age, or go bad. It is just waiting to be wanted, received, and taken hold of. It can be opened at any time, in any circumstance, and will truly benefit."
Wow! I can't wait for Sunday School! I am learning so much, and feel truly privileged.