“Preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2 The Amplified Bible)
Monday morning, December 2, in the Indianapolis area, a small amount of snow, its effect amplified by a strong, cold wind made driving on the roadways treacherous and dangerous. I had a dental appointment schedule and on any other day, seeing the weather conditions and the accidents reports on the news, I would have canceled without any hesitation. However, I am treated at the Dental College on the IU Indianapolis campus and the student that was treating me needed to perform a specific type of treatment to graduate on December 5. Knowing this, I decided to brave the roads because I did not want to delay her graduation. There is a lesson in this first paragraph: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This trip to the dental school, requiring passing accident after accident and extreme caution needs to be extended beyond the Monday events in order that we can benefit from a second lesson. The effort to show up for my appointment at the scheduled time, and I am not bragging, teaches us that there are times when we have to put others before ourselves. The example I just described from my personal life pales in comparison to Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary for you and me, right at the scheduled time.
Somebody is saying, “A Trio of Lessons” means there are three.” Well, as Dad and numerous other fathers would often say, “Hold your horses, it’s coming!” Here is the third lesson and it evolves around the subject of “History.” When I arrived at the dental school and signed in as a returning patient, I took a seat to wait for my soon to be graduate from the school to call me back for my treatment. I usually set in the row of seats where my back is against the wall and I can be a people watcher, looking at all the patients who come in the door. However, on this snowy day, I sat in the row facing the wall. On that wall there was a mounted screen that was airing a looped presentation about the history of the school. I learned that before being made a part of Indiana University, it was just called the “Dental School.” I also learned that at one time, early in the 1900’s, you only needed two years of high school to be omitted. That’s not the case today! I also learned that the Dental School had a basketball team that not only beat IU, but Butler University as well and captured the Indianapolis Championship. There was one insert about another game where a brawl took place in the stands between fans! That made me think of some brawls that happened last week at more than one rivalry, collegiate football game in the United States. I guess die-heart fans are nothing new. Okay, you are still saying, “Good story, but what is the last lesson to complete the trio of lessons on a snowy day?” Here’s the lesson, my friend: History is enlightening, edifying, and educational. This is true for history in general, but it is also true for biblical history. So, I challenge you to pick one of the twelve books of history in the Old Testament that you have not studied. Start reading! It will be a better use of your time than watching all the reruns that are aired repeatedly on TV. Best of all, your study of the inspired word of God will definitely be profitable.
There you have it! Three lessons on a snowy day that I have shared to increase your God-consciousness, Christ-centered living, devotion to the study of the word of God, and perhaps I have influenced you to see everyday happenings through a spiritual prism. Have a great Saturday! Don’t skip worship service tomorrow! There is a pew waiting for you, as well as a specific message sent specifically for you, for a specific purpose! Smile! Show up with the disposition or declaration found in the closing verse! Be blessed!
“I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” (Psalm 122:1 King James Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King