I rise early this morning to pray and meditate with a friend. This is a new venture, and I didn’t consider my praying aloud might wake him. But wake him it did, and after pouring a cup of coffee, he goes into his office. He works as I prepare to head out for the day, and in the midst of our conversation I hear myself say, “The early bird gets the worm.”
It was a flippant remark thrown into the morning air. I didn’t give it a singIe thought as I continued my morning routine, and he went back to the grind.
On the drive to workout I hear a question from our Bible study come back to me.
What popular lies in your culture have you heard?
Ouch!
Busted right there on Highway 175.
Now before you get caught up in the “What do you mean ‘the early bird gets the worm’ isn’t true?” hear me out. There are plenty of things I hear these days, things I’ve even said, that may not be as true as I think they are. Maybe some are flat out lies.
This Bible study is based on the words of a prophet who witnessed the downfall of his nation. He watched as people took on the surrounding culture’s beliefs and actions. In the end the people he loved, the nation he was a part of, became miserable and violent.
Habakkuk’s entire book is written as a conversation between he and God. The prophet was desperate for change. Desperate for God’s truth to reign and rule in the hearts of the Israelites. Let’s just say Habakkuk wasn’t very popular in his day.
Neither was Jesus. In fact His teachings often turned accepted beliefs, tradition, and religious law upside down. Jesus hung out with the wrong crowd in the wrong places. He broke purity laws by touching lepers and the disabled. He said things like, “If someone slaps you, offer the other cheek as well. Love your enemy. Pay Caesar what is due Caesar.” Jesus tossed tables in the place of worship and healed on the Sabbath. He hung out with twelve of his closest friends who weren’t successful in any way.
I love this about Jesus. I love that He never bowed to the religous authority’s demands nor blindly accepted the cultural and religious norm. Jesus came to speak truth, to shed light on who God is and what God is like. And… he was crucified for it.
I wonder what Jesus thinks about the things I say and believe. Things like Do what makes you happy or You do you. Sayings like Where there’s a will there’s a way and It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission. What would Jesus say about our idea of self-help or independence? Honestly, I’m not sure. But I am sure about one thing, the early bird doesn’t always get the worm.
God holds the world in his hands and that includes time. I can’t seem to find any biblical support for the idea that if I wake up early and get to work before everyone else that I’ll get more pay… or more customers… or more success.
What I do see is Jesus getting up early, slipping off to the garden, and leaving the crowds to find a quiet place to meet with God. I see Jesus praying and seeking guidance from His heavenly Father. When it took getting up early to do just that, then Jesus got up early.
I see Jesus doing His best at working to build God’s Kingdom no matter what time of day or night.
The writer’s words ring true.
God has appointed all things in their time, for their time, right on time.
Jean Wilund
Please understand, the heart of what I’m saying isn’t about what truths I believe our culture has gotten wrong or right. The heart, my heart, is to allow God to teach me whether what comes out of my mouth lines up with His truth. Because… truth, God’s truth, is the way to live free in His Kingdom right here, right now.
Deep faith is grounded in asking the hard questions.
Perhaps you’ll dare to ask the hard questions. Let me warn you, you may have to let go of those quotes you’ve been saying for years.
What popular lies have you heard and believe?
and even more important
What truths make the lies lose their grip on you? and others?
Habakkuk took a good hard look around and recognized untruth. From that point he went straight to God.
I pray we do the same.
Stacy
Unraveled Love 
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