Apples of Gold

While on vacation this past winter I had the misfortune of losing one of my crowns. I made an emergency appointment at my dentist and was hoping to simply need to reglue it. That was not the case. I needed a new one. Thankfully they do it in-house and I was able to get it taken care of immediately. Not quite so thankfully, when the numbness wore off it was evident that something wasn’t quite right. Chewing on that side was painful and awkward. I’ve been back several times to have it adjusted and the last time I was told that if the nerve was irritated during the initial process, it could take up to a year for it to calm down. Several months later the pain has lessened but is definitely still there. I’m hoping that it does eventually dissipate, and I can go back to chewing on both sides of my mouth!  

Tooth pain is no joke. It can bring a tough man to his knees with tears in his eyes. Solomon was one of the wisest men to ever walk on this planet. He lived in a time when dental medicine was much more primitive. I think we need to take his observations seriously:

Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. Proverbs 25:19

At first glance this verse appears a tad humorous, but with deeper consideration, the message is quite sobering and unreservedly serious. Both of these conditions obviously are extremely painful. They also impact an individuals ability to function properly throughout their daily routine. 

Interestingly, the word that is translated “unreliable” can also mean: treacherous, deceitful, transgressor. Not very favorable descriptions. Unreliability is more than a simple inconvenience to others. The consequences can be painful and even harmful to those in proximity.

One of the few jobs that unreliability is the expected standard is weather forecasting. We have all had to change plans last minute when an unexpected, rather large storm has swept in on a day that the forecast called for sunny skies. The rather dramatic approach taken by forecasters in recent years has caused many to yawn in disbelief when gloom and doom is predicted.

A couple of years ago Brad and I were sitting down to dinner when one of our phones rang. It was a couple of friends that we were supposed to be meeting for dinner, right then!  Oops! We raced for the car, embarrassed and frustrated with ourselves for forgetting such an important event-one that we had been anticipating. They were very gracious and accepted our apologies and we had a great evening together. 

I’m sure we all strive to be reliable. Sometimes crazy schedules, brain fog, and outright exhaustion cause us to overlook significant commitments. While no one should hold us to perfection, it is imperative that we are reliable. 

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 

The size of our obligation doesn’t really matter. Big or small-do we follow through on the things we commit too? Choosing our words carefully can avoid unnecessary hurt. Sometimes we throw phrases like-“We should do lunch” or “Let’s get together soon” around rather carelessly, at times having no intention of actually doing it. While these are seemingly small things, someone might be waiting expectantly, only to be disappointed that the call never comes. 

Unless you are much better at this than I am, we all could probably use a bit of work in this area. Most of us hopefully have been conscientious about the bigger things, but can we say the same for the things that are small enough to slip through the cracks unnoticed?

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:31-So whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Even the mundane tasks that we face on a daily basis can be impacted by how we approach them. If dread is the overshadowing emotion, it is more likely that the task will be tackled with less than the best attitude. I find my household chores much more fulfilling if I am blasting worship music and singing along as I get those less than exciting chores out of the way. 

We never know who is watching us. When we respond to less than pleasant things in a manner that glorifies God, we honor him and set an example for those around us at the same time. Our culture is watching everyone very closely. There is little grace offered to those who trip up. When you consider what many believers around the world brave on a regular basis, it makes the simple unpleasantries we might encounter seem unimportant. 

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.Titus 2:7-8