A Sermon Series Starts with A Question

At the beginning a sermon series on JUDGES*, the pastor asked a similar kind of a question to Judges 2:2— but the phrasing burrowed deep: What did you think would happen?**

Pondering a Question ~ The Thinker by Edvard Munch

Whew! Not thinking about the consequences of those simple choices —daily decisions that are like rote — still can take me places not worth going.

I guess that’s why Joel 2:25 brought me up short the first time I heard it. It was a game-changer; still is.

The GOOD NEWS is that the God of my understanding still lets me make choices —even in the limitations of this age and stage. Having a pulse confirms this.

Stipulating then, that God did not die and leave me in charge of much, how am I doing with what is still mine to tend?

Pondering a recurring question

What do I think would happen if I

just listened instead of working on a rebuttal?
simply chose to pause — before acting on what I kinda know is a poor choice of time or resources?
actually did the next thing — albeit a dull, menial, or insignificant task?

What would happen?

It wouldn’t change a whole lot . . . The headlines would remain horrifying — illnesses and broken hearts would still proliferate — and the propensity of mankind to be remain willfully ignorant of God would not diminish.

But maybe Doug would have a better day. I know I will. Jut for today — Little steps take me to better places, anyway.

Another Question:

How goes it with you dear reader?

Overview of the Book of Judges

**Sermon audio link: Why Have You Done This

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4 Comments

Flo Wolfe on April 30, 2022 at 12:41 pm

Making the “what if I had done this differently” questions to the “conscious I’ll listen more” or I’ll call a grocery store to commend an exceptional employee.
Great post, my friend!

Barbara Smith on April 30, 2022 at 10:56 pm
Hello friend — who reminded me of Job 13:5 If only you would be altogether silent!
For you, that would be wisdom.

M. Doerfel on April 28, 2022 at 11:53 am

Bill and I were also struck mightily with this same simple question, and we have been repeating over and over in different situational contexts. In the Judges context, I believe, the question refers more directly to the result of deliberate disobedience and our seeming surprise at negative results – What did you think was going to happen? You are expressing a different application, turning it around and examining the consequences of making positive life decisions (i.e. what happens as a result of obedience).

Barbara Smith on April 28, 2022 at 10:00 pm
🙂
Thank you for comments!

Flo Wolfe on April 30, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Making the “what if I had done this differently” questions to the “conscious I’ll listen more” or I’ll call a grocery store to commend an exceptional employee.
Great post, my friend!
- Barbara Smith on April 30, 2022 at 10:56 pm
  Hello friend — who reminded me of Job 13:5 If only you would be altogether silent!
  For you, that would be wisdom.
M. Doerfel on April 28, 2022 at 11:53 am
Bill and I were also struck mightily with this same simple question, and we have been repeating over and over in different situational contexts. In the Judges context, I believe, the question refers more directly to the result of deliberate disobedience and our seeming surprise at negative results – What did you think was going to happen? You are expressing a different application, turning it around and examining the consequences of making positive life decisions (i.e. what happens as a result of obedience).
- Barbara Smith on April 28, 2022 at 10:00 pm
  🙂
  Thank you for comments!