I Kings 18:30‑39 (39)
As wonderful as it may seem, Israel’s choice to follow God in this scriptural account was tarnished due to the fact that He was their second choice. God had to go to great lengths to prove to them that the non-god Baal was a powerless hunk of material. We can make a right choice and yet not experience the joy of the decision.
Luciano Pavarotti the Italian operatic tenor said, “When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song. He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teacher’s college. On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’
“‘Luciano,’ my father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.’ “
Pavarotti chose what he loved most. He loved to sing more than he loved to tell others how to sing. When we chose to obey and follow God freely because we desire Him foremost then we can truly enjoy the joy of relationship and the joy of service.
by Dr. Gayle Woods
1 Cor 11:17-34 (26)
They pushed. They shoved. They talked at the same time. The father looked down at his two little boys. It was clear to see that he was perplexed. How do you treat your son as if he were your only son when he isn=t? When would they learn the joy of having a brother? When would they learn that they did not have to be an only son to be loved by their father?
It is so noxious to see two siblings struggling for the attention and favor of their parent. This happens between older siblings as well as those who are still children. The methods may be more sophisticated but the intent is still the same. The change in the tone of voice, the extra animation in communication, the body language all demonstrate the tug of war that is raging between two who want exclusive rights to the one they pursue.
The Corinthian Christians should have been there when Jesus prayed that special prayer. What was His concern for those who followed Him? That they would be one! He wanted to be sure that they would be unified! He did not want them to be fighting over Him . . . He wanted them to love Him and each other as well. He wanted them to remember that they were family. Maybe we also ought to read His prayer once again.
Dr. Gayle Woods
