Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Green (10/22/09)
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TITLE: You Can't Judge A Jar By Its Color | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Keck
10/28/09 -
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“But Dad packed your lunch.” She said quizzically.
“I couldn’t eat it. It was peanut butter and … pickle relish.” He said in a disgusted tone, unfolding the wrinkled brown bag and taking out the squished sandwich.
“Eeew, yuck. Dad must’ve been tired this morning.” I chirped in giving the o-so-intelligent reply of a 7-year-old as I peeled the slices of bread apart to see the proof. Of course I know now what I didn’t know then. Daddy was color-blind. That was the first and only time he made that mistake so he must’ve been in a rush and just grabbed a jar according to color. We were strawberry jam lovers back then and red and green are colors that look the same to someone who is color blind.
In retrospect I’m wondering how the mistake was made. Jam and relish have different characteristics besides color. Strawberry jam is smooth while pickle relish is chunky. They have different smells. Still even with unanswered questions this is one of my favorite “Remember the time when …” stories.
How often, as we rush through life, do we miss the meaning? We read the Psalms but do we stop to think what was going on in David’s life. I know I haven’t personally researched the circumstances surrounding the words of either David or other writers of this classic collection often used to comfort. I gloss over the begats but one day Bruce Wilkinson noticed a hiccup in the flow of 1 Chronicles. The first 4 chapters list the different tribes and kingdoms and then chapter 4 verses 9 and 10 talk about Jabez and his prayer then go right back to the list of names. Mr. Wilkinson started praying the prayer and then wrote a book, The Prayer of Jabez, so others could benefit. I think God was pleased. Sometimes it takes a contemporary author for us to notice what’s been there all along.
Begin with reading the Bible but don’t stop there. The light’s still green on the road of learning. Check out the footnotes. Find a good commentary. Join a discussion group or Bible study. Do this and you’ll no longer be spiritually blind. Pass on your knowledge to the next generation and they too will benefit.
Different scriptures have different applications. Some tell us the history of our faith. Other’s give great hope and comfort. And often some, like that pickle relish are used out of context.
All scripture is God Breathed however, so has its place. Pickle relish is great on a hot dog but it doesn’t belong on a peanut butter sandwich. Deeper study will reveal the application and help us be a proper witness of God’s Glory. Know the times both Biblical and contemporary and you’ll be able to offer the world what it needs. No one will owe the lunch lady because you’ll be able to give them what they need until the time they’re able to find it for themselves.
Just as we should not ignore our spiritual condition, color blind men should take appropriate steps like reading labels and using their other senses. Oh and in case you’re wondering, I had asked for baloney that day.
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Your closing line was perfect! Good job.