Serendipity means the ability to find delightful surprises in unexpected places. This writer had a serendipitous experience one recent Lord’s Day.
After reviewing the message one last time I went to put the Bible (B) and Message Folder (MF) in the usual carrying bag. Lo, and behold, no room existed. Judy had filled it with materials needed for worship. Should I carry B and MF separately? I had for many years. Should I ask Judy to make room? But she still ate breakfast. Instead, I removed from the bag what prevented inserting the B and MF, then snugged in both. Then came the serendipity—from which we also get our word serene—I found I could fit the other stuff around B and MF. A parable had its nativity! Putting the essentials of worship in the bag first gave room for the auxiliary materials. Practical meaning: if we put God in Christ first, we’ll enjoy the balanced daily life all want but so few have by failing to do so. As Jesus said in the Parable of the Soils, trying to grow a Christ-centered life in thorny soil results in unproductive discipleship Matthew 13:22. Having one’s mind cluttered with inferior intentions stifles the Spirit’s work. It’s like little Jughead in the Snuffy Smith cartoon. He stood at the door ready to depart for school—pockets and hands full of THINGS, including a frog. Aunt Loweezy asks him if he has his books. “Balls of fire, auntie”, he replies, “I can’t think of everything.” By having SO MANY earthly interests, many people don’t think of God. The meaning of this parable is, then: put God first and fit everything in life around Him! Having him first will monitor any interest we may have. It’s amazing how Jesus fills us so completely we lose interest in the many things spiritual emptiness will find to STUFF us, without nourishing, us!
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