Flexible Bending
One time at Bible Study, as the gals were coming in, I handed them each a colored card with a number on it. The only instruction given, “Find your number at a table that corresponds and that will be your seat for tonight.” Feeling like a Flight Attendant, I did so with a big smile, (yet refrained from the urge to nod and quote the “B-bye, B-bye”).
To make things just a bit more interesting, I changed the furniture around as well and moved the snacks, drinks, name tags and sign-in sheets to different locations. What they were being told did not match what was familiar. What they were used to, the routine, what was comfortable was indeed different. Yes, that night at bible study was unique for sure. Thirty some women sat a bit bewildered.
We were studying the book of Hebrews, and I wanted them (if not only in a very small way) to understand what the Jewish Christians may have experienced. They too were being told to do and accept something different, what was routine had now been changed. Their comfort was being challenged.
The Pastor of Hebrews taught that regardless of tradition and what their comfortable religious belief and routine were, (Moses and all) Jesus is much more excellent! His covenant and promises—BETTER. He as High Priest and His blood sacrifice—greater and more perfect than the lifestyle steeped in rituals. THIS ran the Jewish Pastor’s fingernails across the Torah blackboard; it hit a nerve, contrary to all that was familiar.
Yes, different. They had to believe that this NEW was a good thing. They were learning to be flexible, to bend to the good God stuff. Embrace and have a change of heart and attitude—trusting Jesus over the familiar.
What a great principle to ponder. Perhaps we too are being challenged and find ourselves a tad bewildered. Wondering what God is up to. Different from our usual. Stretching us beyond our self-defined comfort zone. May we learn to be flexible and lean into where God is going. Bend to His will and His way. It is much more excellent!
By the way, the women forgave me for the uncomfortable evening, and we all learned a lot that night. We learned that in the different, we have opportunities we didn’t previously. We got a new perspective and view of the room. We met and talked to gals we didn’t before. We were forced to seek out what we needed (refreshments, nametags). AND we learned how quick our attitudes can be challenged.
Flexible bending.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).
Inspired Fountain 