Let Order Reign!

Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. Ecclesiastes 12:9,10 NIV

In verse eight, the Teacher is yelling that everything is "meaningless" and then we understand why.

Where there is no wisdom, foolishness prevails.

Where there is no knowledge, ignorance is bliss.

Where there is no order, chaos and confusion reign.

If we look at what is happening around the world we can see the significance and truth of what happens when there is no wisdom, knowledge or order. And when we get closer to home--right where we live--where our kids go to school--where we shop and interact with others--the truth looms even greater.

We are told in The Word that God is not the author of confusion and yet where see confusion, no one wants to recognize the evil that plots the destruction of order.

Last night, I attended the high school graduation where my grandson attends school and plays in the band. Like many schools, during a high school graduation, students are given a specific number of tickets for their guests and this school was no different. Every student was given four tickets and there were approximately 133 students graduating. Usually the ceremony is held outside on the football field, but since rain threatened the event, it was moved inside. The auditorium was reserved for those with tickets and the Commons (a huge area outside the auditorium) was set up for the overflow, complete with a screen so everyone could view and hear the event.

I cannot stand ignorance and confusion. When I saw how foolish people were--trying to get into the auditorium without a ticket and then acting foolish when turned away--I felt anger rising within me. But the anger was not about those acting foolish, it was about those who even allowed them to think they had a right to be there without having a ticket.

As a result--the ceremony-usually observed with sanctity and decorum, was a hot mess outside the auditorium and from the comments of a few people on the inside--it was not better. I truly wish people would understand how important this event is and not take it as opportunity to be a pep rally where no one can hear anything.

I sincerely hope that two years from now, people will learn to act with more decorum and I also hope the administrators of the school will make more of an effort to maintain order by not allowing the ticketless--access to the ceremony. I want to see order reign when my grandson receives his diploma, not hear a madhouse of cheering so no one else can hear.

Aside from the obvious--my being upset over the graduation process--I also look at all the confusion in the Body of Christ. Where "Christians" are confused about their gender, their roles in life, and even confused about the purpose of the church. Perhaps, just perhaps, when the Body of Christ is no longer confused, and functioning decently and in order, we will see a change in society that demonstrates the change from within a Body of true Believers.

Lord, speak to the hearts of Your people and remind them--You expect us to always act decently and in order and to do things Your way, not our own.

Safe!

But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord, in you I take refuge--do not give me over to death. Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety. (Psalm 141:8-10 NIV)

"Safe" calls the umpire as the crowd roars--some with joy and others moan in defeat--the runner is safe and the game is won.

I've actually played softball and know how those guarding the bases attempt to "trap" a runner who is trying to get home. For instance, when the runner hesitates between trying to make it between second and third base, the runner is caught between two people who are moving in for the kill, trying to keep them trapped within the boundaries to tag them out. The crafty runner--one who knows how to trick one of the players into actually throwing the ball, dodges in and out once the ball is thrown, they run to the next base and if the unfortunate player misses the ball on the return throw, the runner runs home, just in the nick of time and is deemed, "safe" from any further attempt to get them out.

When I picture the snares and traps that Satan sets for all those who are Believers, I smile. I can see the bear trap hidden under the leaves with its mighty jaws ready to spring shut, once the trap is touched. Then I see a squirrel, scurry across the trap and hear the spring snap, attempting to catch its prey, but the squirrel is long gone and the bear sniffs at the trap and moves on.

How many times has Satan spread a net of deceit, lies, and temptable goodies in front of us, hoping to snare us and force us to give up the race we are running so well? Though many of us have fallen for the goodies, many more are wise enough to see beyond the goodies to know why they're placed in front of us. We know a lie when we hear one and will not be deceived, but the foolish--ah! They are not so wise and when they see a feast that entices them--they jump at it and when the net--with its goodies is dangling from a tree, the rest of us walk by--safely, shaking our heads at the misfortune of the trapped.

On many levels, Believers are tempted to do all those things they once did, but when they know The Lord, and are willing to obey, The Lord alerts them to dangers, the snares and traps Satan sets to distract and get them off course. We're tempted to lie to save on taxes, but don't. We're tempted to take that which is not ours when opportunity presents itself, but we don't. We're tempted to cheat on spouses when tempters and temptresses come on the scene, but most of us don't. I wish I could say that none of us--who are true Believers--never fall, but that would be a lie and I will not give in to that temptation. The truth is, we fall short, but when we are honest with ourselves and God, we repent and get back up, ready to run the obstacle course once more. And until we die, we'll be running the obstacle course that Satan has devised for us, but when we call upon The Lord, He will save us and when that day, that glorious day comes when we enter into heaven, we'll hear, "You're safe!"

That's what Believers will hear, but what will the unbelieving and doubters hear when they finish their course? "You're out!" And entry into heaven is lost to them, forever.