September 17, 2022 — John 10:31-38 — “Too Soon Old and Too Late Smart”

September 17, 2022

“The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled— can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”John 10:31-38

“When we notice in ourselves eager desires for something in the future, and when we see that our temperament carries us too intensely to all that must be done, let us try to restrain ourselves from hurry, and ask our Lord to stop the haste in our hearts and the agitation of our behavior, since G-d has said Himself that His Spirit does not dwell in confusion. Let us take care not to participate too much in all that is said and done, and not to absorb too much of it, because this task that presents itself, let us keep to that, and separate from all the rest. Thus we shall always keep the depths of our souls free and balanced, and we shall cut off entirely the host of unnecessary things which burden our hearts, and which prevent them from turning easily toward G-d.” Christian Perfection, Francois de Salignac Fenelon (1651 – 1715) “For All The Saints” volume II (p. 850)

There’s the saying “We get too soon old, and too late smart” that is an idiom which comes from our PA Dutch friends. It means, in part, that wisdom often comes after we have lived many years. I think it relates to what our friend Fenelon was stating in the above devotion. If we are too much in a hurry to accomplish something that we lose ourselves, our time, our thoughts, and our allegiances in the process, we can also lose our connection with the Holy Spirit, and thus lose our connectivity to G-d.

Slow and steady may not always win the race, but it will allow us the necessary time to be open to the Holy Spirit who will help diminish the chaos and confusion that life can bring. We may still get “too soon old, and too late smart”, but at least we may also learn some wisdom along the way to guide us in faithful living and faithful decisions.

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, our lives can move so fast we feel as if we live in constant fast-forward mode. Give me time today to slow down and listen for your still, soft voice of love, wisdom and grace. Amen.

Pastor Dave