Scripture Emphasis:
“Then, Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”
(Luke 18:1 – 8)
Poet Robert Browning, reflecting upon God’s involvement with humankind from birth to old age and death, interfuses the process with beauty and eternal purpose. In his dramatic monologue, Rabbi Ben Ezra, Browning invites his reader as follows: (2)
Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be
The last of life, for which the first
was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith “A whole I planned.”
Youth shows but half; trust God:
see all, nor be afraid!
Browning views human life as a progression, taking shape gradually in the Divine Potter’s skilled hands.
My times be in Thy hand!
Perfect the cup as planned!
Let age approve of youth and death
complete the same.”
The image of the unfinished cup awaiting the final touch from the Potter’s hand is both thought-provoking and promising. The unfinished product remains in the Workman’s skilled hands while life endures. The cup is a vessel designed in preparation to contain. It is not to be a mere decorative ornament. The finishing touch of the Potter’s Hand necessitates His willful and constant input.
There is an inwardness to individuals, as real as something one can view through a rent in the physical body. The history of every human remains incomplete until one considers this inwardness.
The evidence for the preeminence of human inwardness is profuse. Consider an incident illustrative of this theme from a parable told by Jesus. (Luke 18: 1 – 8). The story contrasts the ‘inwardness’ of two individuals. The one is a person of some social status, a judge by profession. While the other is a person with judiciary needs. The vortex of self-aggrandizement surges in the former, while the latter rests in a child-like faith in God’s faithfulness. The unrelenting appeal for justice finally leaves the judge in a state of impatient fury. ” I do not fear God or care about men, ” he muses, ” yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice so that she won’t wear me out with her coming!” Jesus relates this parable to His Disciples to illustrate that they should always pray to God and never give up. Unlike this ‘unjust judge,’ God will always bring about justice for His children.
An inquiry into the ‘inwardness’ of both of these individuals will not only be informative but rewarding as well. In the case of the widow, her approach to life remains in the hands of ‘ The Potter.” Although she must appeal to the local judge to arbitrate her case, she does so with specific knowledge about the One Judge who remains overall. The widow’s arbitrator, on the other hand, approaches his life with an entirely different understanding. His mantra is, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” (3) There is nothing but mirrors lining the inside of this pathetic container of human existence. I, myself, and, me, make for desperately lonely company and induces a hopeless end to life.
” The whole That God Planned” for your life is not ‘A fait accompli.’ The Divine Potter is not finished with you yet. To think otherwise is to render impotent your daily prayer ” Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” You are still on the working team of God’s Kingdom builders.
But what about God’s ‘planned whole’ when human frailty leaves the mind incapable of utilizing God’s entrusted gifts? Is there Something or Someone waiting in the shadows to complete “The Whole” for God’s Glory?
Yes, thousand times over, the answer to all such questions is YES!
The most excellent ingredient that will finally complete the ‘CUP OF YOUR Life’ as God has planned it; is His Love for you as His loving child. Starting now while it is still day, surrender yourself, in sincere faith, for as long as you can, into the embrace of the everlasting arms. And if ever there comes a time when you can’t remember Him, know this, He will never forget you! Then in no way does death mark an ending; instead, it is a glorious beginning!
A Prayer To Follow This Meditation
Gracious Lord, please grant me,
Wisdom to perceive You.
Intelligence to understand You.
Diligence to seek You.
Patience to wait for You.
Eyes to behold You.
A heart to meditate upon You.
A life to live for You.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
Hymn: You Raise Me Up
NOTES
- Scripture references are from the NIV translation.
- Poem by Robert Browning, “Rabbi Ben Ezra” Rabbi Ben Ezra
- William Ernest Henley, ” Invictus”
Invictus poem – Bing
Photo: The view from “SHALOM,” our summer place in Michael’s Harbour, Newfoundland.