A man’s needs run accordin’ to the country he’s in and the job he has to do.”
–Louis L’Amour
I happened to be on, I believe Facebook, and saw an advertisement about the Pagosa Springs area. I’ve been through that regions a few times and a few years back Annie and I hiked some of the back country along the Piedra River. I even thought of placing Miles Forrest there where he could build a horse ranch with Molly, but decided the Durango area was better.
What I saw on the advertisement was interesting. There were rides on the river, lakes, fishing, hot-air balloons, mountain biking and other things of that nature. Not really my thing, never has been. What is wrong with just going out into the Wilderness and enjoying God’s great creation without all of the hooraw of the modern community?
We get so busy, and we need so much stuff anymore. This is even true when we go out to the wilderness; we must take our “stuff” with us. What was it that Daniel wrote? “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:4, NKJV) One version says that “man will dash about…”
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“[I want] to drink from cup in Your hand…”
–Zach Neese
In church yesterday, this song was sung. The words are good, and have some real sentiment. But I wonder, I really wonder, if we understand what we sing. Remember back to James and John asking to be set on the right and left of Jesus and He told them they don’t understand what they are asking. Well, most folk who sing the song that they want to drink from His cup don’t know what they are asking.
Jesus went on to ask if they could drink from His cup. They joined in that they were indeed able. Let’s look at it from the New Living Translation, “But Jesus answered, ‘You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?'”(Mark 10:38) James and John boastfully answered that they were able. Jesus then replied, “You will indeed drink from my cup and be baptized with my baptism…” (10:39)
James was the first to die and John the last of the disciples. James was put to death; John lived to old age but suffered much affliction. They did drink of the Lord’s cup. They next time you sing that song, reflect on the words. We should mean what we sing, therefore, do not just be singing words, but understand that the Lord may require that you drink of His cup.