(Following is an excerpt from my new book,
Live Your Highlights. If you'd like to purchase a copy, just send me an email at sueraatjes@cox.net. Soft cover is $12 plus $3 shipping, if mailing is required. E-book version is $5 with no shipping charges. Enjoy.)
What would it be like to be part of a
support group made up of characters from the Bible?
Imagine sitting in a circle in the basement
of a drafty old church, sipping terrible coffee from Styrofoam cups. You size
up the other members of the group:
“Hmm.
Who is that old guy with the beard and long stick in his hand? His name tag
reads Moses. Wonder what his problem
is?
And the young man with an
eagerness about him? His name tag reads Hi,
my name is Timothy. Next to him is another old guy—A. Paul (the A stands for apostle).
They seem to be friends because Paul keeps chatting in Timothy’s ear. Quite a
talker, that one. Timothy is attentive, but I did see him roll his eyes once
when Paul wasn’t looking.
“Not many women in this group, other than the
classy one with a regal appearance and good posture. She has two names on her
tag: Sarai – Sarah. There is an
elderly woman with a wrinkled face. What did she endure to earn such a
time-worn countenance? Her name is Jochabed,
and I guess she is important to that guy Moses sitting next to her. He is
very attentive, re-filling her coffee cup and adjusting her shawl.”
The list could go on but you get the drift.
The Bible is full of rich characters who rely on God. Wouldn’t it be terrific
to select the character who suffered what we currently deal with and sit next
to them for a one-on-on? You might be surprised at some
of the issues they grappled with:
Job dealt with physical and emotional tragedies, while Caleb Joshua, Shadrach, Mechach, Abednego, and Daniel had to face fear head-on. Elijah and King David turned to God during deep depressions. Peter and David both had to face their sin in a spirit of remorse.
Timothy, Abraham, and Moses served, in spite of being "out of their comfort zone." Ananias, Queen Esther, and Mary all were handed dangerous tasks by God.
Are you dealing with the Empty Nest Syndrome? Jochebed and Mary both had to relinquish children. David (him again) knew what is what like to have a rebellious son and he also dealt with his own swinging emotions. Sarah and Ruth followed others without regard to their own wishes.
Continue on with your own search of the Bible's ordinary people who served God, in spite of their short-comings. You’ll enjoy visiting with your new group of friends.
I
hope the coffee’s fresh!
