November 21, 2015

“The young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things. Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he hurried out to the man at the spring. As soon as he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels near the spring. “Come, you who are blessed by the Lord,” he said. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” So the man went to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and fodder were brought for the camels, and water for him and his men to wash their feet. Then food was set before him, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say.”

“Then tell us,” Laban said. So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns. And my master made me swear an oath, and said, ‘You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, but go to my father’s family and to my own clan, and get a wife for my son.’ Genesis 24:28 – 38

“By the time the servant had told his story again, the food must have been cold. He left no stone unturned to make sure Laban and Bethuel knew exactly what had happened. He was making sure there was no room for misunderstanding. He said, ‘Whatever your decision, let me know so I can act accordingly’. The decision that follows is remarkable in its contrast to the labored words of the servant: ‘Since this matter comes from the LORD, it is not for us to make a decision. Here is Rebecca; take her and go.’ If it is God’s will, which they believe it is, the decision has already been made. How often do we get worked up about and make heavy work of something that God already has decided? How often must he sit shaking his head sadly as we tell him all about the situation and make sure nothing is missed out? Because he already knows.  It is good to be well prepared. It is good to work things through. But, when we take our cares to God, it is good to remember that he knows what we need better than we ourselves do. We can trust him to make the right decision.” (Spare me the details – Genesis 24:28-38,49-51. Written by: Lutheran Media)

I listen to the story of the servant, and his need to share his quest repeatedly, and it reminds me of my decision to go into the ministry. When you make such a decision, especially as an older student, people want to hear your “story”—and so you tell that story over, and over, and over again. At seminary they want to know why you are here. Within the walls of your home, your family wants to know why you are leaving, leaving your job, your security, even most of the things you love to do. What brings you to this place? What is your story?

It is good to tell our stories. It is good for all of us to tell our stories to others, for explanation and for perpetuity. There has been a move recently for children to sit with their parents and get them to record their stories. Our society is losing our stories as we lose our sense of place. So we should record the stories, record them in oral, written and in video format so we, and others, can hear the stories, and learn from them. For in listening to the stories, we may learn some deeper truths about the world, and about ourselves.

Pastor Dave