How Long Is a Piece of String?

I was told that I was a curious child. I asked a lot of questions, such as how long before we got to wherever we were traveling? How long before I can quit doing my homework before going out to play? How long is it before my birthday? I’m sure I was a nuisance. My father always had an answer that frustrated and puzzled me for a long time. His answer was a question, “Son, how long is a piece of string?” I was not pleased when my dad answers my questions with his question. Besides, Dad’s question seemed like a non-answer. Finally, I figured out the answer to Dad’s question. A piece of string is as long as it needs to be for whatever purpose a piece of string was needed or until you ran out of string. Now, that makes sense. I also quit asking my dad a lot of questions about “How long until _____? Because I knew the answer. Today when someone asks me a question, such as, “Rick, how long until you retire?” I answer with a question, “Well, how long is a piece of string?” and I get some unusual facial expressions.

You Can't Be Good at Everything

Someone has said that you can’t be good at everything. If no one has already said that then I just said it because it needs to be said for the benefit of all of us. My mother wanted me to have some musical talent, or at least skills. I took piano lessons from Mrs. Rose when I was young, very young. I cried most of the time that I was supposed to practice on our old upright piano in the back room. I cried because I would rather be outside playing. In Junior High School, I was a member of the Church’s youth choir. There were no auditions, you just showed up. I really wanted to be in that choir because of the girl who I admired. Being in choir meant we got to ride home in the back seat of a parent’s car and hold hands after choir practice. In High School, my mother strongly recommended I join the band (she did not pressure me, but she was persistent). I was third chair in the baritone section. If there had been ten in the baritone section, I would have been tenth chair. I was not very good. I recalled what I learned in the Church choir, so I made certain I did not play very loud. I was not good at practicing as I would rather be outside playing. Do you see a pattern? I do not have an “ear” for music. I can not hear the difference between a sharp and a flat (I learned these words in band) but I know that each had a different button to push on the baritone. My music experiences were surely helpful for my maturity even though “You can’t be good at everything.”

Elephants and Scripture

I have had the privilege of being in central Africa, i.e., Zambia and Zimbabwe. On Lake Kariba we saw a herd of elephants near the shore. We were in a small boat and the elephants did not want us to come closer as they made loud sounds and threw water at us with their trunks. We back off to a distant which they approved. Seeing elephants in a zoo or in the circus is a different experience. I feel for those captured and tamed elephants. They are not like the free elephants in Lake Kariba. God’s word is like the herd of elephants at Lake Kariba who are free to be who they are created to be. Thanks to the writings of Dr. Paul Kittner, I have imagined the scriptures like that free herd of elephants at Lake Kiriba. The scriptures are the divine words; they are not my words. Unfortunately, we have placed those words of the Creator in interpretation and doctrine ‘cages.’ Worse, we have even paraded the Bible in worship services as if we have tamed it, like a circus elephant. Yes, we need to work at interpreting the scriptures, but we need not think we can tame and limit the scriptures to only our interpretations, doctrines, beliefs, etc. The scriptures were inspired by the Divine Creator/Spirit and they are free. The scriptures may mean different things to different individuals at different times. The task of interpretation is to get our egos out of the way and cease making them mean what we need and/or want them to mean for our purpose(s).

Jesus' Disturbing Question/Invitation

The differences between my ego and my spirit are hard to discern and, even more difficult, to follow. By “my spirit” I mean that part of me that desires to follow Jesus, who, given my culture and language has been my primary guide for the Divine. When Jesus called the disciples, he said, “Come follow me” (Matthew 4:19). I think that is a question, “come, follow me?” That simple question/invitation is all that the gospel writes wrote. A simple yet disturbing question. There are no safety or security promises with that question/invitation. Jesus’ question/invitation is not even about comfort. Jesus even said that I wasn’t to worry about food, clothing, etc. Perhaps I am learning that it is my ego whose focus is about safety, security, comfort, food, housing, clothes, automobiles, band and retirement accounts, etc. My spirit is about meaning and purpose for living. Jesus calls to my spirit to follow Him into meaning and purpose which is not necessarily a promise of safety, security or comfort. No wonder Jesus’ question/invitation is very difficult. Jesus even said many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). It is my ego which wants to make Jesus’ question/invitation into something else of which my ego would be satisfied, such as prosperity, wellness, safety, security, comfort, etc.; but that is not promised when Jesus’ asks, “come, follow me?”

What is Happening to this Nation?

What is happening to our country and the moral fiber or character of this nation? David Brooks, a conservative columnist for the New York Times, put it this way, first in an interview, then in an article (April 7, 2025). "Until January 20, 2025, I didn’t realize how much of my very identity was built on this faith in my country’s goodness—on the idea that we Americans are partners in a grand and heroic enterprise, that our daily lives are ennobled by service to that cause. Since January 20, as I have watched America behave vilely—toward our friends in Canada and Mexico, toward our friends in Europe, toward the heroes in Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office—I’ve had trouble describing the anguish I’ve experienced. Grief? Shock? Like I’m living through some sort of hallucination? Maybe the best description for what I’m feeling is moral shame: To watch the loss of your nation’s honor is embarrassing and painful." Thanks, David Brooks, I agree!

We Want Answers; God Wants Relationship

Jesus did not promise that all our prayers would be answered. In John 16:26 Jesus says, “In that day you will ask in My name and I do not say to you that I will request the Father on your behalf” (NASV). Jesus said this after he said we could “… ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name.” (John 16:23, NASV). Often, I want to say, “Jesus, make up your mind; which is it?” Could it be that Jesus wants us to meditate and ponder such a conflict as we prayerful argue our confusion with God much like Job did. Maybe it is not the answer God wants to give us but a maturing relationship in which we are free to question and, even doubt. I believe God wants a personal and free relationship with us rather than being the “answer God for our needs, desires, wants, requests, etc.” Be careful what you ask God for because you may receive something much more valuable, i.e., a relationship.

I anticipate a lot of surprises in Heaven

In Jesus ‘Priestly prayer’ (John 17:23) he prays “that they may be perfected in unity….” Jesus is praying for the disciples as well as us, the present-day followers. His prayer indicates that our “perfection” is accomplished in “unity.” I wish that all Christians would cease fighting about whose church and doctrine is right. Jesus’ desire in this prayer is we could agree that we are all pilgrims seeking a relationship with God. Relationship with God is more important than whose doctrines are correct. I know I do not have everything figured out correctly—whatever “correctly” means. I would like to be a Baptist/Methodist/Episcopal/Catholic/Pentecostal/Quaker/Orthodox/Presbyterian/Disciples/Church of God/Church of Christ/ etc. and on ad-nauseum. Why have we established so many different churches and denominations? Why do we have to choose? Why can’t we belong to several churches and denominations? Why do we need to be so certain that my way is the only way as well as the right way? I anticipate a lot of surprises in Heaven.