Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, Dear ones.

Once again, Becki and I will soon take off on a little walk/jog excursion. On our walk yesterday morning Dandy lost his ball. I was just chiding him to go find one of his balls. But he keeps coming to the studio to say, “Why don’t you just do your pull-a-ball-out-your-box trick like I’ve seen you do many times.” Of course he’s referring to the box of used tennis balls I bought several months ago. But it’s fast approaching empty.

Fall is fast appearing. At the end of our walk/jog yesterday I managed to pick a few blackberries. But that’s about the end of it. Slim pickings. Now we need to harvest our grapes and apples. If we make some apple juice, I think it will have to include some worm juice. A little protein in the mix shouldn’t hurt.

Tomorrow morning at this time I’m destined to be in a boat at the mouth of the Columbia River. I would hope that we would have some nice salmon aboard by this time. We’ll see. I’m going with my bro-in-law, Ray Wilson, aboard the boat of a fishing guide.

Time to go. Blessings. Love, Dad/Ray.

This is an exhausting passage! There is so much inspiration packed into this little reading that I can hardly stand it—I don’t know where to begin! But I have to begin somewhere—so let’s begin with “the secret.”

Is “the secret” Paul mentions really a secret?—something that is known only to him? I don’t think so. In fact, if I am understanding accurately his meaning, what Paul calls “the secret” is totally proclaimed throughout Biblical revelation. It is the FACT of God’s transcendence, sovereignty, and goodness. And “the secret” that he says he has learned (notice that it is learned—not automatic) is quite simply BELIEVING IN THAT FACT—MAKING THAT BELIEF PRIVATE AND PERSONAL—AND ALLOWING THAT BELIEF TO RENDER ITS LOGICAL EFFECT—CONTENTMENT AND PEACE. And the reason he calls it “the secret” is because this fundamental and absolute belief seems to elude so many people, including “believers,” that it is never adequately incorporated into the real fabric of their personal, private, and practical daily living—and becomes like a missing ingredient or an unknown secret. The natural consequence of not applying this secret is that a person will become anxious about almost everything. But Paul instructs us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

I’m sure you have you noticed that peace is better than anxiety—that contentment is better than discontent. Right? For sure, you don’t want to allow this secret to get by you. Its value is just too big! And don’t forget what David learned: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, KJV).