SCRIP-BITS

Song of Solomon 1:6.    Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
 
Aye Friends, is Friday! That means another weekend has rolled around. But it also means that in the northern climes, the beautiful summer weather is winding down too. A month from now, we’ll most likely be complaining about the cold, brisk September winds and the leaves starting to turn brown. However, until then, let’s enjoy what we have. We’ll deal with that when the time comes. So in line with all the mouthing and shouting of ‘TGIF!’ and ‘Thank God it’s Friday!’ let’s chant our Friday Chant, to help us keep the whole weekend thing in its proper perspective. (smile) With one accord now, with voices joyfully raised in song: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Yes mih people, that’s just to remind us that the weekend is not just for fun and frolic, but even then we do need to stay balanced, to live a balanced life between God – always first and foremost – work, family, friends, fun and relaxation. It’s only by living a balanced life that we can truly have a righteous and God-fearing earthly journey. Anything else will definitely throw our lives off kilter, just like the person’s in our Bit. ‘Look not upon me because I am black (dark), because the sun hath looked upon (tanned) me; my mother’s children (sons) were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.’ What a shame! His family was angry with him and made him work constantly in their vineyards, looking after their affairs, so much so that the sun darkened, tanned him. But his own vineyard, his own affairs and life, he never took time to look after. Oh my people, that’s a very foolish way to live. It’s righteous and worthwhile and all that to help others, but as the saying goes, if you’re not good for yourself, you can’t be good for anyone else. And that’s a fact! That means we’ve got to learn to spend time looking after both our affairs and ourselves. And who doh like it – tough! It’s obvious that they’re not interested in our welfare, but only their selfish desires. What happens when we get all burned out and miserable, as we will, if we’re constantly looking after their business eh? They’ll just find somebody else to do their dirty work. The main problem in living a balanced life though Friends, is one of discipline. We should all be disciplined enough to spend an appropriate amount of time with God, at work, with our families and friends, and with ourselves. Now that last person is one we always tend to overlook because we think we’re not important enough and/or don’t need time alone. Sometimes we’re also intimidated by the foolish world vision that if you spend time alone you’re weird or something’s wrong with you. But Friends, we all do need our private time; to get our thoughts together, plan our personal agenda and to just sit and relax, enjoying ourselves for being who we are. Note that we take ourselves everywhere we go, so it’s best if we like ourselves, are able to enjoy our own company, otherwise we’ll always be miserable. Psalm 119:45 says: ‘And I will walk at liberty (at ease, in a wide place), for I (continually) seek thy precepts.’ Yes my brethren, when we continually search for and keep God’s ways, we can walk far and wide without fear, for the Word will keep us in proper balance. That leads us to Proverbs 4, where Cousin Sol talks about avoiding wickedness, which is also about balance in our lives. ‘Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in the right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened (hindered); and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.’ (Prov.4:10-12) Again Friends, when we keep the Word of God, near and dear to our hearts, our earthly journey will be made much easier and more fruitful. And we’ll close with two of the greatest verses of encouragement in the scriptures: ‘He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside still waters (waters of rest). He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.’ (Ps.23:2-3) Without a doubt my people, if we walk closely with the Good Shepherd, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that’s where He’ll lead us every time, and we won’t need to fear that our lives will be thrown out of sync, out of balance ever! Much LOVE!…a life lived outside of…or without Jesus…will always be unbalanced and unfruitful…