As I sat down to write today, we lost internet.
What on earth do you do in 2020 without internet?!?
Welp.
I had written down (as in typed into an email to myself on my phone … then copied & pasted into a Word document I can edit offline) a couple notes during last night’s Zoom bible study on John 5 & 6. We’re going through a Tony Evans video series on the gospel of John. Chapter 6 starts with the feeding of the five thousand – one of those passages, like the parable of the prodigal son, some of us have studied about five hundred thousand million times. Tony said a phrase that stuck out to me, though. “Thank God for your insufficiency.”
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. ~John 6:11
I mean, we ask God to provide for our needs. We thank God for providing for our needs. We express gratitude to God for what we have, even when we feel like it may be small and meager. But how often do we thank God for our lack because it allows him to be glorified when our needs are met?
The other point that jumped out at me was in verse 15.
Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. ~John 6:15
We know the Jews were expecting the messiah to be an earthly king. They were expecting him to overthrow all their governmental oppressors and be the new ruler of a new and improved theocracy here on earth forever and ever amen. Without taking the time to go back to the original Greek, Hebrew, whatever … not sure if they thought they were going to use force against the Son of God or the Roman empire, but both of those scenarios sound like the makings of a bad sitcom script.
King by force. How very human of them.
Update on the insufficiency, by the way … we are also without a landline and I’m currently in an online chat via cellphone with our provider. Earthly provider, just to be clear. Any resemblances to The Creator are only in the sense that each individual at the company was created in the image of God. Which, I suppose, is always a good thing to keep in mind when interacting with customer service representatives. They’ve created a ticket, asked the COVID questions in case a service tech needs to enter our home, and promised to restore service by next Wednesday. The standard next Wednesday. Proverbial next Wednesday?
Per the social media others in the area are reporting problems, so I expect my first world problem to be solved long before next Wednesday.
I might need to dash elsewhere for wifi to post this, however. I hadn’t planned to leave the house today, but … eh … that may have to happen. Pondering … put on makeup and defrizz my hair to avoid alarming anyone I encounter … or encourage social distancing with my appearance … hmmm …
Oh! Not only was I collecting thoughts and notes to start writing, but I was chasing down the best collection of Emily Dickinson poems to add to my Christmas wishlist. My buddy Mitch mentioned again in his livestream concert last night a line of hers he likes … “The Truth must dazzle gradually”. I’ve been meaning for some time to read more Emily Dickinson. Adding to my wishlist at least puts it in the queue.
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
~ Emily Dickinson #1129
Peace out, girl scouts. It’s been another typical 2020 day.
