2023_06_23 Insight Post- Julie Christensen
This week’s reading- Judges 2, Judges 13-16
Hamster wheel and hair are odd things to ponder with our Bible Reading Plan this week. I envision myself running and running in that hamster wheel, repeating my sinful patterns. I can hop out of that furiously spinning wheel, yet I hop right back in. Why do I continue to repeat this cyclical behavior? As we read in Judges, the repetition of sin, judgment, and repentance happened over and over through the generations, and we continue today. My selfish, human ways constantly remind me why I need a savior. We may depart from our end of the deal, yet our God hasn’t and won’t. He’s never broken a covenant. I’m grateful He’s willing to pour out His mercy on us today as He did for Israel.
Impulsive, selfish, revengeful, vulnerable, murderous, boastful……I’ve been guilty of several of those, yet I’m speaking of Samson and his long locks of hair. No matter our faults or backgrounds, God can and will use us to advance His kingdom with our obedience. Speaking of obedience, the last verse in Judges 13 tells us that the spirit of the Lord began to stir in Samson. Yet the following chapters chronicle Samson’s mishaps and death. Ever wondered what would have happened had Samson responded differently to the stirrings? Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit trying to speak to you or stir your heart, leading you to act? Instead, succumbing to lust and revenge? Samson is generally remembered for what could have been. We may see this as a waste, yet he still accomplished the purpose of beginning the rescue of Israel, which was announced by an angel prior to his birth! My prayer is to appropriately use the strengths God has granted us and not allow those gifts to be wasted.
Julie Christensen
Senior Director of Silo Center