"Let's Rearrange That!"

Today’s Advent Calendar post is dedicated to my Dad who passed on to his place in glory last night.  As my son and I and our wife’s sat around his bed yesterday, we reminisced about many of the good times we had with him over the years.  While we talked, I thought about how much my Dad had influenced and helped to establish who I am today.  He played a major role in the arranging and many times, as today’s topic states, the rearranging of my life when I strayed off the right path!  His input came with soft but intelligent words of encouragement and occasionally when I was young, with the help of the paddle!  Most of all though, it was by his quiet and consistent example. 

He was a gentle and emotional man with a great sense of humor who deeply loved my Mom as well as my brother, sister and I.  Dad was held in great esteem by all that he touched with his life.  He also exhibited a strong sense of patience and calmness in the face of any situation that he was involved with.  That’s probably how he successfully taught at the Middle School level for over 27 years!  It is probably also where I received my love for children and youth ministry.  His legacy will be felt and carried on through the coming years by all who had the honor and pleasure of being touched by his presence! 

Let’s Rearrange That!

Tuesday, the first week of Advent

Today’s Reading:  Genesis 30:1, 22-23 / Luke 1:23-25  

There is an old western film produced by the RKO studio in 1936 starring the legend of silent and talking westerns, Harry Carey Sr.  In the film, the actor plays the part of a notorious outlaw who is just released from prison after a 35 year sentence.  He is totally out of touch with the modern world and is even more miffed when nobody remembers the tough guy that he used to be.  There are some pretty hilarious scenes with the way he reacts to the younger people’s comments to him as being an “old man!”

In the climax of the movie, he teams up with the old Sheriff who put him away many years back to help with his sharp-shooter skills with a gun, in order to roust a gang held up in a country cabin.  Throughout the gunfight scene Harry Carey’s character calmly looks at different targets on, in and around the cabin and says to the young upstart Deputy crouching next to him, “Let’s rearrange that!”  Then to the amazement and chagrin of his young “Doubting Thomas,” he aims his rifle and hits his intended bull’s-eye.  In the end he shoots off the stovepipe from the roof and forces the bad guys to surrender as they are overtaken by the smoke from the fireplace that fills the house.

The words of the comment “Let’s rearrange that” go hand in hand with today’s reading and corresponding lesson.  In our scripture we take up where Zechariah has just received a life altering message from the angel of the Lord.  Yesterday we saw a man that responded in doubt and unbelief, but today we see a man that quickly saw the error of his ways and “rearranged” his thinking, his faith and his courage!  Think about that for a moment.  Many of us would have probably felt sorry for ourselves, thrown in the towel and went home with our tails between our legs.  But not Zechariah!

This man of God, swallowed his pride, accepted his situation, and looked forward with new purpose to the job that was set before him.  The Word says that he did not drop everything and run home, but that he stayed on in order to complete his previous assignment with his temple duties for another few days and then returned to his home in the mountains to proceed with the next phase of his life.  After this the story turns to his wife Elizabeth and we get an abbreviated glimpse into the reactions of a mighty women of faith.

Our story states that Zechariah and Elizabeth were quite old at this stage in their lives and that she had been barren.  Previous to this we learned that they were accepted by God because they lived righteous before both God and man.  As members of the priestly line of Aaron they had to be very much aware of the promises of God to His people, especially that of Deuteronomy 7:14 where it was proclaimed that “You will be blessed more than any other people.  Your men and women will be able to have children, and your animals will be able to have offspring.” (God’s Word ©)

Throughout my many years in ministry I have seen countless Christians who have turned away from God because they became angry and embittered with the loss of a loved one, the inability to have a family, or because they felt that God didn’t answer a particular prayer of theirs.  They blamed God, and walked away from Him and or blamed themselves and lived the rest of their lives in defeat, fear of failure and indecision.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were not like this though!  They are shining examples of those who trust in the Lord in the midst of confusing times when you might not have all the answers.  And yes, Zechariah did exhibit a moment of weakness (which is not uncommon among those of us who face negative lifelong situations or health issues day and night, 24/7), but he saw the light, “rearranged” his faith and moved forward.

Elizabeth quickly discerned not only the miracle but also the importance of the event that had taken place in their lives.  I believe that is precisely why she spent five months in seclusion so she could be alone in the presence of the Lord, thank Him for removing what was considered a disgrace and meditate upon, as well as prepare herself for, His next assignment.

Today we have read of an older couple who learned a practical lesson in life, made some rapid “rearrangements” within themselves and stepped excitedly into their future!  How would you (or have you) handled a similar situation?  This would be a good time to consider the place and level of faith in your life.  Are you at a place where you could positively respond to a new direction, or job that God might present to you?  If not, then maybe today would present the perfect opportunity to look within and make any “rearrangements” to better align you with the path that proceeds from His loving kindness, mercy and potential plan for your life! 

Once again, this might be the perfect discussion to have around the dinner table tonight.  Have a great adventure today!  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What “REARRANGEMENTS” am I expecting to make today?”