Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear people.

I’m facing only about 8 hours left of daylight. Need to get going. But Becki finally got in the shower, I’m trying to get this off quickly, while I’m having to look after two little wildmen. Whew!

Thano went to work at 7:30am.

Have fun!

Love, Dad/Ray.

We are familiar with the fact that before anyone can be regarded as a professional of any trade or skill, much training and experience is required. That is true among doctors, musicians, athletes, pilots, bridge builders, mechanics, artists, electricians, and sewer-system installers. Agreed? And we would not want to mix up the skills—trusting that just because someone is a professional in one area, they are qualified in another area. You would not want a professional violinist to assume the role of a professional pilot, if they’ve never flown a plane before. Nor would you be duped by someone who knocks on your door and says, “Hi, I’m Wally—I’m a professional surgeon and can do in-house surgeries. I have all my tools here on my bicycle. So, what do you need done? Heart surgery, back surgery, eye surgery—I can do it all.” No one, whose head is working right, is stupid and gullible enough to just take someone’s word for being a professional.

That being said, is there any skill or profession any more requiring of training and experience than the universal life-long occupation of being a HUMAN BEING? Think of it. And just think of all the life-threatening responsibilities that go with it! Whether or not we like it, or would have chosen it, we are all assigned by the CREATOR/OWNER the career of being a human person! So how is it that we have become so tolerant of people all around us who claim to be professional humans, but who have been subjected to little or no training, or successful experience?—who may not have even read the CAREER MANUAL FOR HUMAN LIVING provided by the originator of the career? If you are following my trail of thought, you will recognize that many around us make all kinds of claims (we’re wise to be alert to that coming from ourselves) concerning their professional competence, excellence, and superiority when, in fact, they’re really only “wannabees”—just self-deceived hackers—golden-mouthed con-artists.

The FOCUS VERSE is the very last verse of the last chapter of Hosea—but it’s of first importance our career success. He pretty well wraps up an overview of whole spectrum of the career—both sides of it—the good and the bad, the right and the wrong, the successful and the failed. Little wonder that Jesus repeated the quote from Deuteronomy 8:3 when He said, “It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone (toward being a successful career person), but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'” (Matthew 4:4). And I’m reminded again of Jesus’ words in John 8:31-32: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Let’s make sure we take time to train toward being competent and successful in our career of human life. Of course, it can’t be done on the basis of our being so wonderful, skilled, and flawless. After all, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 16:25). It can only be done on the basis of our being personal seekers, followers, and disciples of the One Who is Wonderful, Skilled, and Flawless.