"Grunt Work"

 

“Grunt Work”

 

The term “grunt work” had its origin in 1969 during the Vietnam War to refer to infantry soldiers who did the “dirty work”. This military slang gradually spilled over into the civilian sector to describe thankless, menial and unskilled but necessary labor. An example was a two man home remodeling team who hired a “laborer” as a gofer so they could use their skills more efficiently and the business prospered. So “grunt work” is an important part of any project.

In my recent reading in Numbers 3 and 4 I saw the importance of “grunt work” surrounding the tabernacle. Aaron and his sons, descended from Jacob’s son Levi which was designated as the priestly tribe, were called to the priesthood to lead the Israelites in worship. However, they couldn’t perform all the necessary tasks so God assigned other members of the tribe to “…perform duties for (Aaron) and for the whole community at the Tent of Meeting by doing the (“grunt work”—McMillan paraphrase) of the tabernacle.” (Numbers 3:7). This included caring for the furnishings, coverings, curtains, framing and all other aspects of the structure as well as carrying the articles from place to place and setting it up where God directed the people to stop and camp. Glamorous? Probably not. Important? Definitely as it provided the nation with its center of worship.

Paul described what might be viewed as “grunt workers” in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NLT): “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy, when God called you. Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” And let’s not forget Jesus’ words: “…Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant….” (Mark 10:43) which He lived out by washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:5) as an example for us (Verses 14-15).

Is there any “grunt work” in God’s economy? Not really—we each have a role to play which is important (“…Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”—1 Corinthians 10:31, emphasis added). So let’s use whatever is in our hands to honor the God of our hands.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Good Luck Charms"

“Good Luck Charms”

 

On September 13, 1964 Vonda Kay Van Dyke of Phoenix, AZ was crowned “Miss America 1965”. She was a strong Christian so when the emcee, Bert Parks, asked her an unrehearsed question as part of the competition he made reference to her carrying her Bible as a “good luck charm”. I vividly remember the first two sentences of her response: “I don’t consider my Bible a “good luck charm”. I consider it the most important book I own.” She went on to fulfill her role with dignity and grace.

Many people today rely on “good luck charms” to carry them day by day and cope with their many superstitions. Some have objects like a rabbit’s foot, step over cracks on sidewalks and avoid the number 13. (Interestingly there’s no Deck 13 on the cruise ships we’ve been on but the Empire State Building has a 13^th floor.) Athletes might wear the same socks while on a roll of some kind (hold your nose), construction workers refuse to walk under ladders and gardeners rejoice over finding a four leaf clover. God told His people not to “…be terrified by signs in the sky….” (Jeremiah 10:2)—I understand this to mean not to be taken in by superstitions which have no basis biblically or logically. In addition, He gave many admonitions not to be involved in occult practices (“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists….”—Leviticus 19:31).

Despite these warnings God’s people fell into the “good luck charm” trap. In 1 Samuel 4 we’re told that the Israelites brought the Ark of the Lord to battle against the Philistines in the belief that it would bring victory. Not only was Israel defeated but the Ark fell into the enemy’s hands. Only when they turned away from superstition and trusted in God instead of the Ark did they experience His deliverance.

We must be careful not to use the Bible or any other object or symbol as some kind of a “good luck charm”, aka “Get out of jail free” card. An old hymn contains the line, “Show me the truth concealed with Thy Word”, which “…is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). Trust the God of truth and of His Word which never fail.

 

Grace and Blessings!

                                                                       Jim McMillan 

"Musical Hits"

 

“Musical Hits”

(Please read the previous article “Fads” before this one)

 

One of the areas most impacted by fads is music. It comes in many genres, including gospel, most of which have lists of what’s “in” at the moment and conduct annual award ceremonies. But what’s popular this week may be all but forgotten in the next. I did a bit of unscientific research (read consulted Google) and found that the record for consecutive weeks on the “Billboard Hot 100” list is 431, held by the Canadian artist Drake with 157 songs from 2009-2017. This fad lasted longer than others but as with almost all performers and their work it wore off and was replaced.

There was no “Billboard Hot 100” during biblical times but there are songs included in God’s Word which have been “hits” for centuries—we know them as The Psalms. At least 73 are credited to King David but it’s likely that many of the anonymous ones came from his quill and harp because they describe events from his life recorded in other parts of Scripture. One of the reasons they’ve stood the test of time is that they were usually written out of life’s experiences, both good and bad, and so we can identify with them. One of my favorites is Psalm 86, a prayer of David in a very difficult time in his life, most likely when he was being pursued by Saul (see Verse 14). In Verse 7 he says, “In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.” I shared this Psalm, usually Verses 1-7, with countless patients during my hospice and hospital ministries and sensed the relief and comfort it brought to many in their uncertain circumstances. This is an illustration of the timelessness of the Bible’s truth (“Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”—Psalm 119:89).

New “…psalms, hymns and spiritual songs….” (Colossians 3:16) are constantly heard on Christian radio and in churches’ times of musical worship. Some will be around for many years; others will fade away after a short time. But many of our most loved hymns have been with us for multiple centuries (e.g. “A Mighty Fortress”—1527; “Amazing Grace”—1779; “Holy, Holy, Holy”—1826) and still appear on lists of present-day favorites. So we as God’s people can be thankful for the “Musical Hits” that overcome the fads and continually bless our lives.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Fads"

 

“Fads”

 

Present-day culture is marked by fads of every stripe. The word’s origin is uncertain but the two most common opinions are that it’s a shortened form of “fiddle-faddle” (describing something of little importance) or the French word fadaise (meaning nonsense). It’s come to describe something that’s briefly popular but doesn’t stand up to the test of time and is soon all but forgotten. We can all think back a few (or maybe many) years to clothing styles (miniskirts, Nehru jackets, leisure suits), TV genres (westerns, crime shows, “reality” shows) and music (hits today are gone tomorrow). And whatever became of pet rocks, Cabbage Patch dolls and car fins to cite a few more examples? Hymn writer Henry Lyte was correct when he observed in 1847, “Change and decay in all around I see….”

Religious practices aren’t exempt from this trend. Ever since the Church of Jesus Christ was established 2000 years ago groups based on a person’s teachings, pet doctrines, societal issues and many other factors have sprung up, had their day and slipped into obscurity. The early Jewish teacher Gamaliel had it right. Summarizing Acts 5:34-39 he said if a movement is of human origin it’ll die a natural death but if it’s of God it’ll last. This explains why, against all human logic, the Church exists today. Jesus told His disciples that He’d build His Church on Himself and “…the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18). Kings and emperors have tried to obliterate it—they and their empires are long gone but Christ’s Church is alive and well in every corner of the world.

True faith isn’t a fad, it’s a lasting reality. Yes, methods have changed and continue to do so but God’s truth remains constant. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35, emphasis added). Take comfort that He provides stability in a fad-filled world because “(He’s) the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). To complete Lyte’s hymn line begun above, “O Thou who changest not, abide with me.” Trust Him, He will!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan