Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 3:7  “A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; a time to be silent and a time to speak.”

This was perhaps the hardest thing my husband was ever asked to do!  Not talking is a real challenge, but he did a very expressive mime for a French church service twenty-four years ago. There were no worries over a microphone, vocabulary or an American accent.  The message was clear even without words.

Mime has been around since the days of Greek theater in 467BC.  But it was Gerard Deburau who introduced in France the silent Pierrot pantomimes in the nineteenth century.  We call them “pantomime blanche” because of the white face.  Mime or silent theater is a wonderful way of communicating the Gospel without the need for language!

Our verse for today was written by King Solomon who had received from God a special gift of wisdom.  It is part of a poetic text that describes the times for doing or refraining from doing a number of activities.

There are many occasions when it is better to remain silent than to speak.  In the face of overwhelming grief, it is often better to touch and hug rather than to speak.  I will never forget a time when we were in a state of shock, and a good friend said not a word.  He cried with us, and that was all that was needed.  We often hesitate to approach someone suffering because we worry about what to say.  A silent presence sometimes speaks more eloquently than words ever could.

There is a time to speak and I need God’s wisdom in my choice of words.  Whether it is explaining the Gospel or comforting a friend, Lord show me when to speak but also when to be lovingly silent.

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 3:6-7  “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.  So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow.”

I am a basketball game enthusiast.  I kind of have to be as I am married to someone passionate for the game!  But over the years I have learned to appreciate it more and more.  I even know some basketball vocabulary to throw around so I can pretend I know what I am talking about!

The shot made in this photo was amazing!  What was more amazing is what led up to that basket.  There was dribbling, there was passing and there was setting of picks.  It was a real team effort.  When a team works together the score always reflects it.  If there is ball hogging and no assists, things tend to fall apart.  The game is never about just one player.

Although the context is division, our verse for today can also refer to a team effort.  Paul and Apollos both had different but essential roles.  The important truth is that God is the One at work changing hearts and transforming lives.  Neither Paul nor Apollos could take the credit.

When it comes to building God’s Kingdom, I am not anything.  I may think I am, but I am not.  Can I change a heart or transform a life?  Of course not.  No matter how well I think I am doing, it is God’s doing.  If there is increase than the glory clearly belongs to Him!  That means I do not have to be the one making the basket.  Sometimes He asks me to throw the ball at the player who is open!