God’s Rabbit Trails
Don’t you love it when God sends you down a rabbit trail in His Word? I was reading in 1st Timothy 4:3-4 and a note in my ESV Bible led me back to 1st Corinthians 7:25-35. I have never really understood this part of Scripture, especially 7:29-30, where it talks about married people living as if unmarried and mourning people as if not mourning, rejoicing people as though they weren’t rejoicing and those who buy stuff as though they had nothing!! BUT TODAY, when looking at it in light of 1 Timothy 4:3-4 (which talks about receiving whatever God gives with gratitude realizing all was made by Him), I think I saw much more clearly what the section in 1st Corinthians was talking about. I got so excited I had to share it with you, my readers!!
It seems to me these verses are indicating there ought to be no difference in my response to God and my desire to be well pleasing to Him no matter what my situation in this world. There should be no difference whether I am married or not, if I am mourning or rejoicing, if I am wealthy or not. My life-ALL my life-both sacred and secular-no matter the situation-needs to be as one following hard after God!!!
As I was coming to this conclusion, Colossians 3:17 jumped into my mind. That verse clearly states “And whatever you do (be it secular or sacred-parenthesis mine), in word or deed, do ALL in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to the Father through Him”!
So, the rabbit trail circled right back to 1st Timothy 4:3-4. Now, isn’t that often the way it is with God’s Word? It circles back onto itself to support itself! Scripture stands up for Scripture and clears the way to our better understanding! Thank You, God, for rabbit trails!!