Thursday, December 01, 2005

Waiting for Mahler . . .

Hours of waiting backstage while the pieces I don't play are being rehearsed to death. The result: free time. How about finding a quiet corner and see what items come to my attention before Mahler 1st does! James seems to call out for someone to read there.

Didn't take long for the following to surface. (Whenever I hear that something "comes to the surface", I recall those black 8-balls with the advice for the moment bouncing to the top.) The Holy Spirit has a few more options, and a bit more relevance!

Am I remembering that whenever I endure a temptation, I am promised "the crown of life?" (1:12) Not just coal for failure, but gold for obedience!

I am urgently instructed to be "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (1:19)I am taking this as something I will most certainly need very shortly. Knowing this will only profit me if I do it. (1:22) How quickly we blurt out that which we immediately regret. I think the "swift to hear" part can refer to our making the Scriptures a priority, rather than having "feet swift to run to mischief." The wrath that comes forth from our mouths never produces the righteousness of God. (1:20)

My "religion" is pointless and laughable if my speech is not Spirit-controlled.(1:26) A "vain religion" is perhaps one that serves only oneself. It is kept under a bushel, and others never see the proof of its reality.

Intermission is over. From James to Mahler . . . .

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hope your Mahler went well. :)