Scripture Tripping #1

So, I'm going to start a "segment" of my blog, as we'll call it. It's going to be called Scripture Tripping, kind of like "StumbleUpon", but I didn't want to use their terms. One of the things I like to do from time to time is to randomly open my Bible to wherever it happens to open at the time. Sometimes I aim for the New Testament, other times the Old. Sometimes, I pick a number and turn to that page. Once I am on the page, I read through until I find something that stands out. I focus on the part that stands out, reading the context to help me better understand. I believe that God has something to say to us at any point in time with any portion of Scripture, and that if we read and listen, he will provide us with a message.

Today's Scripture Trip is 2 John 8-9. For those who don't know off hand, 2 John is a single-chapter book of the Bible, which means that "8-9" refers to verses in this case. Anyways, here are those verses from 2 John (1984 NIV):

"Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son."

My initial reaction was, "Yes, that makes sense. We need to keep following the teachings of Christ and not get ahead of ourselves. We have worked to learn what he teaches, and in that we will be rewarded."

Then I read it again. My current situation taken into account, I realized that there could be a variety of messages in this. For me, where I'm at now, I realized that I have spent the last 19 years of my life in school. I have worked to become a teacher, so that I can help others become successful members of society, train them to educate themselves in the future, and provide them with a foundation of skills they can continue to refine for the unforeseeable future. I have applied to many jobs, including a couple handfuls of teaching positions. While currently I do not have a teaching position, and I don't necessarily expect to obtain one for this fall, I should not give up on this possibility for the future. I cannot "lose what [I] have worked for." I need to hang on to this and persevere toward a teaching job in the future. That's not to say that I cannot be content with employment of any form (i.e., Staples) for now. Employment and income are what they are, and in our society they are highly necessary. I can embrace my current employment and continue to "keep my eyes on the prize".

As for verse 9, my thoughts are that we cannot get ahead of ourselves. This applies to ANY number of situations, but the first two areas that popped into my head were employment and love. When you are seeking work (or love), you can't assume that things are going to work out. You have to stay the path. Keep working toward God, focus on him, live by the teachings of Christ, and act in ways that will glorify him with your job search and/or aspirations for love. You can't fall in love just by thinking it will happen. You can't get a job just because you want it. Pray about it, glorify God in your thoughts and actions, and be patient. Follow the path and stay the course. I firmly believe that God will provide in all things, and that includes employment and love.

So, that's all for now, except just a mini-shout out that the Chris Tomlin station on Pandora is amazing. Love it!