Overcome Adversity: Choose Life

We had a team meeting at work the other day and one of my colleagues was tasked with inputting our deliverables into a Microsoft Project document to be shared with leadership. He volunteered to do it because of his experience with Microsoft Project. Then we began joking with him that he should have a deadline of 3:00pm; which, would have made the project more challenging. He actually completed the task at about 2:58. However, I misread the email and thought that he missed the deadline. Not wanting to let the joke go, I wrote that he did a great job but we had to deduct points for tardiness. After I sent the email, my supervisor said he didn’t miss the deadline he actually beat the deadline by 2 minutes. A second later, he wrote back apologizing for missing the deadline. My supervisor then pressured me to make it right. I didn’t understand at the time because I thought it was only a joke. But, I sent an email letting him know that I was wrong. The next morning, I thought about it more and changed my mind. My supervisor was right to tell me to fix it because; although it was a joke, I realized the shear negative nature of the joke overpowered the compliment. I wrote him another email praising his work so that my intentions were clear and that he understood how proud I was of him.

This brings me to my sermon topic: Don’t allow your words to overpower how impressive God really is.

This theme has suddenly resurfaced in my life. My mom recently cleaned out her house and sent a box of stuff to my house. And included among it were some of my old sermons that I wrote over ten years ago and it just happened to fit nicely as a theme of overcoming adversity. Because sometimes things show up in your yard, sometimes things show up in your house, and sometimes even things show up in your bedroom when you are trying to sleep at night that cause you to think…what is this?

I’ve seemed to land on this recurring theme as I reflected upon the recent plight of the human race. I’ve seen where people are inflicting so much pain and stress through many avenues. The most prevalent of late has been bullying. The most recent has been these mass killings. It’s hard to live up to a “We shall overcome” mentality when others have purposed in their hearts to insure you never get the opportunity to rise to the occasion. On such occasions, I find it comforting to go to the Word of God and I wanted to carry you there with me.

2nd Kings Chapters 6 and 7

“15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

This passage of scripture is appropriate for discussions about overcoming adversity because it highlights just one of the many examples of just how great is our God. To give you some background, Elisha was a prophet. Most often prophets were used by God when he wanted to give messages to people. But, God also trusted Elisha when he wanted to show his power. In this case, the Israelites and the Syrians were at war with each other. It was evident that the King of Syria thought the war was between he and the King of Israel. However, after reading this, you and I both have the understanding that God was in the midst.

Verses 9-10 “And the man of God sent unto the King of Israel, saying, “Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.”

We learn from this verse that Elisha was sent by God to the King of Israel with a warning meant to protect the King of Israel from the Syrians. Isn’t it good to know that when we are fighting against the enemy that God is able and can protect us! Then in verse ten we learn that the King of Israel kept a watchful eye on the place he was warned from going. Because of his obedience, he was saved more than twice. The Bible reveals that the King of Syria was “troubled” by this. It confused him so much that he actually thought he was being sabotaged by his own people. He wanted to know which of his crew had been conspiring against him. And by verse twelve they pointed their fingers right at Elisha.

By verse 15 you can imagine the anger the King of Syria would have had by then. He was so angry that he sent adversity to Elisha in the form of a great host of both horses and chariots that surrounded the city. It was so disconcerting that Elisha’s servant was almost in a mode of panic stating “Alas, my master! How shall we do?” Elisha had to calm him down by saying “Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” When you are in a state of oppression and the enemy is trying to cause you to panic that’s when you have to stop and realize that you are on the Lord’s side. Just like if someone was afraid you were in a dead zone and they reach out with that infamous question…you can tell them, hey, I got the network and yes “He can hear us now.”

Now some of you may be thinking but that is Elisha. Of course, Elisha can overcome adversity. Elisha’s foundation, from the beginning, looks as if God would be there to take care of him no matter what. Elisha is a man of God. But I remember when Barack Obama first became the President elect and there were some people who did not vote for him. He had this to say in his November 2008 speech “To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.” When these words were uttered, it opened my eyes to another aspect of a merciful God. I believe that God works on even those whose support he has yet to receive and he still will be their God.

Changing gears a little bit Matthew 5:44-45 states “…but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Why would a God is not a respecter of persons ,tell us to do something that he doesn’t already do himself? If I am allowed to place a visual on God, I could see him as a master musician conducting an orchestra of instruments all in concert with each other. When you would think that God is ignoring the trumpets while he is focusing on the flutes, he is actually just waiting until the proper time. God knows the music so well that he’s never missed a note. For people still say that “He may not come when you want him but he is always on time.” And the music is still just a beautiful, under his capable guidance to this very day.

Some of you may still be concerned, thinking that God may not want to use me. Because you think, you may have made too many mistakes. But just one chapter over in 2nd Kings chapter 7 beginning at verse 3 there’s a story of four leprous men having a discussion as to what to do with their remaining time on earth. To get to this point, they had to be thinking that they were no longer of any use to anybody. They were put down to the point where they questioned their value. I know what it feels like when people constantly tell you that you can’t or you shouldn’t or to stop. I know exactly what it feels like when the physical body exercises specific limitations on you to where you feel like you are unable to handle certain tasks. I understand all too well how people try to shut you up, sit you down, or infamously pass you by. I know the darkness of depression, the frustration of fatigue, and the unfairness of the undervalued. But I also know a savior who will use the word to tell you it’s ok to open up your mouth and make a joyful noise anyway, I know a savior who will use the word to tell you to rise up and take up your bed and walk anyway, and I know the goodness of a savior who will not pass you by.

But back to the lepers for a few minutes. By verse 4 they were discussing their alternatives which seemed to be limited. - They weighed going into the city where the famine was and die of starvation there. - They weighed staying where they were and dying there - Or the final alternative which was to go into the camp of the Syrians, surrender, and risk being killed because they were the enemy The wonderful part about this whole story is the lepers chose the best chance at life. They chose to go to the camp of the Syrians just in case the Syrians would be merciful and spare them. This teaches us, in our own situations that we need to choose the best chance we have for life. That best chance is to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. Once you choose the life Jesus offers, you can rest in the fact that the battle belongs to the Lord. He begins to fight your battles for you. At that point, even things meant for evil will start to work out for your good.

The rest of the story revels that the lepers experienced this when they went to the camp of the Syrians. God had caused the Syrians to hear a noise. The noise scared the Syrians so badly that they abandoned the camp just in time. By the time the lepers arrived at the camp they were able to go from tent to tent and take whatever food and provisions they desired. God had provided for their welfare simply because they chose life. Not only that, God used the lepers to send the message to Israel that the Syrians were no longer a threat. He used the lepers to bring hope during the time of a famine.

We need to evaluate our responses to seemingly impossible situations during this time. Some of us need to evaluate if it’s an actual threat or if it is just noise. Noise was designed to scare your enemies; but it was meant as a tool of worship for God’s people. Some of us need to just make a joyful noise when we feel that a situation has become impossible in life, when we see no apparent way of escape, when all our resources are gone, make some noise.

The last point I want to make is that when the Lord appears to be taking his time during your situation, don’t use the time to be bitter. Those lepers could have made an excellent case for staying outside the camp and ruminating on how they were left to die. They also could have rationalized keeping everything for themselves. After all, they were considered rejects from society. What had people done for them except to isolate them and make them live outside of the camp by themselves? This would have been a wonderful way to get back at the people who isolated them. What irony, that those who rejected the lepers would end up dying of famine before those who had the leprosy. But the lepers never thought along those lines. They were so overwhelmed with the good that had befallen them that they recognized the moral obligation that they needed to share. But I know you want to know now when you will be able to overcome your adversity…and let me assert to you that We shall overcome.

-We shall overcome the weeping and wailing knowing that the Bible promises weeping shall endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.
-We shall overcome in the days when the prayers of the righteous avail much.
-We shall overcome when we aptly use the faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains.

-We overcome because the Bible says no weapon formed against us shall prosper
And finally, we shall overcome because our God is an Awesome God who is the alpha and the omega and who has the final word on when we will overcome but if you are saved then you realize already that we shall overcome indeed.

Successful, Submissive, and Single

I came across a couple who were having a disagreement with the role the woman should play in their relationship. He wanted total control and she was determined not to give it to him. As an outsider, I witnessed a third woman request for help from the man. She became pliable and he was ecstatic that someone valued his opinion. His attention to the third woman eventually became a source of contention for his current relationship. How do you handle it when you are in a relationship where the operative feature is making submission the “elephant in the room?”

Recently God has been dealing with me on this subject. It’s interesting how the mind works because when we think about submission many emotions naturally surface. We think submission = slavery, weakness, undervalued, among others relative to this category. Each of these evokes varying emotions which can include both insecurity and anger. Insecurity, we feel a certain level of powerlessness that resonates with a feeling of operating in lack (i.e. of control) causing us to relate relationship to neediness. Anger, we feel a certain level of pride or powerfulness causing us to operate in a feeling of total control; as a result, making it difficult to relinquish that control and causing us to relate to relationship to a platform of dictatorship. Targeting these emotions towards the one, to whom we’re to be submitted, is dangerous.

God looks at submission a different way. I can only feebly describe - as a miraculous system of trusting in God for leadership to bring a covering of honor to you; but, somehow this seems inadequate for the benefits far outweigh the sacrifice. For instance, God gave Moses the task of leading the children of Israel to the Promised Land. God gave the position, the vision, and the mission of leadership to Moses. Those that submitted and followed Moses were able to experience the wonderfulness of the Promised Land. Isn’t it interesting that out of the entire original colony that left Egypt the only ones who were able to enter were Joshua and Caleb. Their submission, led them to a place where they could appreciate the difference and could stand confidently in who they were because of where God brought them from.

Why, then, does submission evoke such powerful emotions? First, I think it’s a misunderstanding, as women of God we’re to look for Godly men that will lead us in kingdom principles which causes a covering of protection from the hurt and danger caused by living otherwise. For instance, if a man enters into your life and his requirements consistently and constantly go against the requirements of God. That’s not the person to whom you’re supposed to be submissive – let that cup pass from you – that person will cause more anger and insecurity than good. However, if your “boo” is leading you under God’s grace to the Promised Land…then submit to your heart’s desire cause you’re about to go somewhere awesome. Let the Lord use him! In other words, don’t stop submitting to God in order to submit to people and you’ll find it will be easier to be successful, submissive, and single.

Giving Good Advice

Moral delimas are good inspiration for me. And I recently had a great moral delima example that triggered my, what else, desire to write and post on the blog. I came across a young man recently who worked two jobs (a fulltime and a parttime job). The part time job, had an awesome opportunity to provide some needed cash that could help the young man. But, the job conflicted with his fulltime work schedule. The man had already been informed by his boss that he could not use anymore paid time off time during training. He had two people in his ear ready to advise. One who encouraged him to make the sacrifice and talk to his boss about it. In the end, a reasonable boss would understand when given the chance to support a worthy cause. The other advised him to take the day and call in sick. The man struggled with the decision. He wanted to do it so badly but he didn't want to be told that he couldn't do it. He took a deliberate opportunity to weigh the pros and the cons. In the end, he chose to tell his boss and alleviate the stress associated with not being completely honest. It worked out because the boss did understand and allowed him to take the time off. It's important to note that we have to be careful when giving bad advice. The end result would have more than just impacted the situation at hand; but, relationships as well. The advice you provide can give the appearance of a harmless solution on the surface and cause a tangled web of deceit that would trap the best of us.

The Brachistochrone Curve

I know you are already saying "huh?" That is, unless you have prior knowledge or if you haven't already googled the title to find out what it is. However, during my research, I thought it would be interesting to make connections to Biblical teachings. And this is what I hope to make clearer to every reader; as I learn I will share what has been shared with me. So have fun reading and hopefully learning something new as I draw from the the past, present, and future and relate this information with influence from the teachings of Jesus or whom Mary affectionately called "Rabboni." (John 20:16)

The Brachistochrone curve is a formula solved by a team of gifted mathematicians, including Sir Isaac Newton, around the 1694 timeframe. It is attributed to the reason that skiers like the great Lindsey Vonn are able to ski downslope at a faster pace. We've been taught that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But for skiers, who are able to find themselves sticking to the Brachistochrone Curve or (in their lingo) "find the line", there is an additional advantage. The formula presents mathematical proof that gravitational pull and kinetic energy work together to reduce the friction that tends to slow a skier down. The reason I thought this was all interestingly cool is that this formula was solved centuries ago yet it still can have an influence in how skiers are able adjust their training to win Olympic gold today.

Bibically, I also thought about something interestingly cool, in the book of Matthew chapter 24:45-51 and also retold by Luke 12:42-48. The verses explain the mindset of man in the expectation of Christ's coming. It tells of a parable which describes what could be a man who is faithful and wise. In this state, he could be intrusted by his lord who would make him ruler over his house-hold, to provide them with meat in due season. The Bible/Jesus describes this man as blessed because when he returns this man would be found faithful to the responsibility he was given. As such, the man would be rewarded. But then there is also the description of another man. This man, would take advantage the time where there wasn't anyone watching. He would note that the person in charge wasn't around and wasn't coming back anytime soon. He felt he had time to waste and would take the opportunity to party. The Bible said that he would eat and drink with the drunken. Then he mistreated his fellowservants. He eventually stopped paying attention that his master would come back. He stopped looking. As such, this man would be punished. This illustration spoke to me because it made me understand the importance of discipline. Had the second man disciplined himself, he would never have been in a position to be punished. Olympic gold is the result of disciplining your body overtime to respond to the demands of extreme competition. Today we can review centuries old mathematical formula's to help us explain how a winner wins. But the real gold comes from finding a line and staying as close to it as possible; I'm told once you've crossed a line it's hard to come back. It takes a lot of practice, a lot of discipline, and you may even have to turn down a party or two. But in the end, you would have fed some people along the way.

Mountaintop Experiences

Today I went to the mountaintop. Literally, to the top of Stone Mountain, I went there. It was a hard journey but a few years ago I was walking and I heard God whisper in my spirit "Mountaintop Experiences." It was intimidating. I'd never completed a walk up a mountain before that because my mind had already convinced me that it was hardwork. I was already defeated and didn't have plans to accomplish this at any point in time. I remember my old job had a young CEO named Bryan Mundy that climbed mountains. Before his untimely death, he explained that he had a dream to climb the highest peak on every continent. He even wanted to take underpriviledged youth with him on these journeys to teach them this message that "if you can accomplish this, you can do anything." While I was impressed by his tenacity I was still not moved with anything that even remotely looked like interest. When God said mountain top experiences, I felt a Sarai spirit coming on who laughed at the prospect of being a mother in her old age. Then I reflected on things i'd heard about that involved mountains. How Martin Luther King Jr.'s I have a dream speech touched on going to the mountaintop and seeing the promised land. A reference to the promised land that Moses got to see but Joshua got to experience. And how Jesus was tempted of Satan on a mountaintop. I began to think about the pictures I saw and how the views from the mountain are beautiful to behold. So I began to think, if it was important enough for God to place in my spirit, then I can't not pursue it. I had to fulfill the purpose. Thus began my journey. I had to find which mountain; Stone Mountain eventually became the obvious choice. Climbing it for the first time was an experience. I was exposed to the wonders and beauty of nature. I was excited to have accomplished a goal that I initially felt unobtainable. And I was exhausted because of the extreme mental and physical exertion that was placed upon my being. But I wasn't totally fulfilled. I still didn't know what mountaintop experiences meant. I soon realized that experiences was plural. God must have wanted me to go back. I had to go back and face the mountain again and again. Journey, beauty, accomplishment, hardwork; journey, beauty, accomplishment, hardwork; journey, beauty, accomplishment, hardwork over and over again. But where was the lesson? Where was the meaning? What was the purpose? I stopped going up the mountain. My body immediately responded. A brief visit to a healthfair revealed I had borderline high cholesterol which prompted a visit to my doctor. She said that I could take medicine or control it through diet and exercise. Back to the mountain to start the cycle again journey, beauty, accomplishment, and hardwork. Then I met Chad. When I was tired, frustrated, and ready to go back down the mountain. I saw Chad whose body language demonstrated outwardly what I was feeling inwardly. I went to him and channeled all my energy and I summoned all my willpower to help him make it to the top and we did. At the top was his wife and children. The look on his wife's face said that I took away her ability to punish him for not making it. She could no longer laugh at his inability. But I didn't care because i'd just found purpose. Knowing that I could make it to the top is one thing; but my job that day was to help someone else get there with me.

Serve the Lord with Gladness

The title is from verse 2 of the 100 book of Psalms. The actual sermon; however, draws from Leviticus 24:10-14. I was inspired by God, always, but recently my pastor made a brief statement that I thought was cool. When you are reading Leviticus 24 and you think that it is intense then you will have a deeper appreciation for what I’m about to say. During Bible study, and I’m paraphrasing, my pastor mentioned something like not everything is all sweet with God. Sometimes you have to digest the bitter as well. But when you eat both, there is a different flavor altogether both fighting for your attention which makes for a unique experience for your taste buds. So, in keeping with his theme, I have some bittersweet spiritual food for you, eat well and enjoy!

In verse 10 of Leviticus 24 the Bible tells the story of the son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian father. The interesting thing about this story is that the Bible is very general about the son. But the fact that the son was mixed Egyptian and Israelite gives my imagination plenty to play with. For instance, we know that the Egyptians were slave masters of the Israelites and we also know that this transition from power is pretty recent as the children of Israel (at this point in the story) have made it beyond the Red Sea but had not yet made it to the Promised Land. So it is safe to say that the children of Israel ‘s experiences with slavery would still be fresh in their minds.

However, to put it in perspective, blacks were the slaves of whites some 200+ years ago and the sting of slavery along with its residual impact is still fresh as well. As I remember well into the 1980s and 1990s it was still difficult for some to see a black person and a white person in a romantic relationship. Therefore, I’m sure it was difficult for the Israelites to see a son of an Egyptian man among them. It would have probably been just as hard for this son to adjust to being the outsider as well.

Another experience of a mixed relationship, I remember, is Hagar who was the Egyptian maid and had a son by Abraham the grandfather of Jacob (who was renamed Israel by God). The child from this union was Ishmael. Sarah (Abraham’s wife) couldn't deal with the fact that her husband had a child by someone else that as soon as she had a child of her own she kicked Hagar and Ishmael out. This experience demonstrates the raw emotion that is bred by having a child outside of the confines of a sacred union blessed by God.

The issues and possibilities that stemmed from the relationship of an Egyptian father and Israelite mother are endless. In order for a slave to remain a slave, the slave master would have had to employ strategies that would breed a slave mentality from the Israelites. They would have been very aggressive in their tactics and nothing would have been withheld with regards to insuring subjection to the slave master’s rules. We know this because the Bible stated that Moses killed an Egyptian that he witnessed beating an Israelite (Exodus 2:12). Therefore, within this adversarial type relationship they had, it would not be irrational to think of several possibilities that could have happened. She could have been raped, they could have legitimately been in love and had a child, she could have seduced him and used that to manipulate favors during her time as a slave, or they could have had a one night stand. But I don’t believe that they would have had a healthy marital relationship under the circumstances of slavery.

In addition to the complications surrounding their relationship, I also believe it would have been tough for the Egyptian father to take an active role in his son’s life. Their relationship would have caused a significant amount of uncomfortableness within the Israelite community. It would have also been possible that the father could have died in the Red Sea along with the other members of Pharaoh’s army or simply stayed behind (giving up his parental rights) while his mother left with the rest of the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. With regard to all this it is probably a safe assumption that the son would have had some difficulty fitting into with the Israelite community.

The other interesting thing is the Bible does not mention the son’s name. One of the things that I know about God is that he knows the names of his children. The people that he really knew, for emphasis their names were mentioned twice in one setting. (Abraham in Genesis 22:11, Martha in Luke 10:41, Simon in Luke 22:31, and Saul in Acts 9:4). The worst thing one can do to leave this earth and stand before God and have him say depart from me I know you not. Therefore, if there is any doubt, you may want to begin introductions today.

Knowing a little of the background and inferring things about the son’s parents and the possibilities of the relationship between the Egyptians and the Israelites, the Father and the son, and the community and family we probably can tell that the son would have had some behavioral issues. Additionally, there probably would not have been a nurturing type environment and it would be understandable to believe that the son would have had some social issues as well. The Bible confirms this by mentioning the son Strove (Genesis 26:20,Exodus 21:18) with an Israelite man. And because of this he lost control of his emotions and “blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed (verse 11).”

There was such a lack of respect on the son’s behalf. He didn’t appear to respect man or God. The Lord responded accordingly by instructing Moses to stone him. Immediately our hearts would probably want to be with the son but in this instance the best way to do justice is to train our children. Let them know that it doesn’t matter where you are from, what side of the tracks you may be on, or even who your father and mother are you still have to have a relationship with God for yourself. And, God still has set the expectation of respect. There isn’t an excuse good enough to disrespect God in this way and God does not obligate himself to be merciful in this instance.

We know that when things don’t work out for us right now and we have those bad days, as we sometimes tend to have, it is better not to focus on this trouble but focus on God. It is how we respond to those bad days that make the difference. If the son would have been focused on God and took the advice that his leader Moses provided he would have been able to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” He would have been able to pass the tests that were before him. He would have been able to know the God that I know, one who is full of grace and mercy. He would have known a God that would fight battles for you. But for some reason that son didn’t know to call on that God. We have the opportunity to get to know that God and learn from the son’s mistakes. Once you do, it won’t be a problem to “Serve the Lord with Gladness.”

Hungry for God

Hunger pains exist in our lives and can lead to a relevant word for such a time as this. Knowing this information has allowed me to delve into my desire to sit down and enjoy the spiritual food from God's table. Why am I thus if I don't choose to eat from the master chef that teaches all chefs. I am hoping that, by sharing these experiences, someone will be compelled to come and join me and we will be filled together. The book of Luke 14: 16-23:


16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.


After reading these verses, I am mindful that there are times when an invitation is sent that you must not turn down. The invitation is such that it would come from someone so special that every effort is made to attend and all other scheduled events would be rearranged to accommodate this request. For instance, one of the State Dinners hosted by the President, William & Catherine's Royal Wedding, or perhaps something so intimately planned by a spouse that no amount of convincing would change your mind about attending. The thought process is that you understand the amount of resources that would have gone into preparing such an elaborate display of hospitality that will be unmatched by no other existing life event.
However, each invitee in the scripture did exactly what would have caused any sane person to exclaim..."Have you lost your mind?"

Maybe this isn't an understatement if you held onto the logic that they could have gone to the Master's dinner at anytime. And logically, this would be correct. But another thought I have suggests that this wasn't just any event. First, scripture describes that the Master was angry. If I were to go with the logic theory, then it would be logical to say that the master was angry and in an effort not to waste the effort/food the master extends an invitation to those whom he thinks will appreciate the work that was put into this event. A host just doesn't get angry and go to this extent for just anything. For instance, that type of energy would not be wasted if dinner just came from a drive through window. This leads me to believe that the effort was not only monumental but this would have been the master's best work.

Second, this event is in parallel to those who are extended an invite to heaven. One might say, but this is God and God can just speak things into existence. And that's true; however, in Genesis 1:1 the Bible talks about how God created the world in 6 days. After thousands of years and countless people spending lifetimes exploring the world, we still have not explored all their is to know about God's creation. There are still unexamined and unnamed stars, unexplored mountains, unpioneerd and uncharted territories to this very day. We know that if God can create something so awesome in six days then this meal will have to be something to behold, cherish, and remember for the rest of our lives.

Last, scripture says that he bade many. But after replacing those he bade, they were finding that they still had lots of room to accommodate those with their excuses. It is important to note that this behavior begs us to pay attention that the master wanted as many people in attendence as possible. The work would have had to have been worthy of such effort.

I'm convinced that the people would have not understood the magnitude of this event or they would not have turned it down. It is as if their minds were not illuminated to the possibilities; otherwise they would have definitely made the event a priority. I witness a lot of those who don't believe. They will be the ones representing the people who had excuses for why they weren't available during the invitation period. But heaven is a must and in order to go we must be hungry for it, anticipate it's coming, and appreciate the work/effort that went into the preparation. This strong desire to find out what it takes to get there won't go unnoticed by a God who spared no resources to insure it is worth the wait!