Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Ding-Dong (05/16/13)
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TITLE: From Doorbells to Dolts | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ernest Yoder
05/22/13 -
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Let us explore “ding-dong.” From the chiming sounds of a doorbell to doltish behavior of human foolishness the term can embrace at least a couple of definitions.
For the convenience of anyone who happens to be at home, one of our door bell buttons produces a “ding” and the other a “ding-dong” when a visitor pushes it. Of course the purpose of this is so the one whose lot it is to answer the door bell knows which door to open. (My problem has been to remember which door is the ding door and which one is the ding-dong door.) I would like to use this modern convenience to draw an illustration from Jesus’ words when He said, “knock and it will be opened to you.” (Mt.7:7 NKJV)
In today’s parlance Jesus may have said, “Push the button and the door will be opened to you.” God’s response could either be a ding or a ding dong. It can either be a “still small voice” (1Ki.19:12, NKJV) or a “rushing mighty wind (that) filled the whole house” (Acts 2:2 NKJV) or anything in between. With Nathanael, Jesus’ low key but profoundly moving statement that emanated from His omniscience (Jn.1:48) moved Nathanael to a saving faith. That was a ding. When the Apostle Paul pushed God’s button (although he did not know he was pushing it) God’s response was a resounding DING-DONG as He confronted Paul in his climactic Damascus Road experience. (Acts9:3-6)
Utilizing another definition of our topic I would like to paraphrase some selected passages of scripture. Psalm 14:1 could be rendered, “The ding-dong has said in his heart, there is no God.” Proverbs 12:15 would read, “The way of a ding-dong is right in his own eyes.” We could even use the term adjectively as in Titus 3:9. “But avoid ding-dong disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings….” Ding-dong could also be a synonym of, “a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal,” (1Co.13:1, NKJV) describing “smart” people who eschew love in their relationships.
In conclusion may I suggest that we should not hesitate to avail ourselves of the invitation to push whichever of God’s buttons He makes available to us? He may respond with a ding, a ding-dong, or anything in between. If we walk through the door He opens, our lives will change for the better. On the other hand let us not be ding-dongs in our attitudes toward God and the overwhelming evidence of His presence all around us and let us lovingly confront those who are. Ding-dongs can be doorbells or dolts.
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