V’ahavta
וְאָהַבְתָּ ‘…And you shall love…’
A familiar nursery rhyme. And a bit of silly little nonsense to entertain our children.
We are not to turn a deaf ear to their cries. We are to be the hands and heart and words of Y’shua to those around us. But there is a need to guard what the Lord has entrusted to us and not neglect it because of being distracted by the clamor of the world’s need.
Listen. Know for certain your mission. Stay the course and resist distraction.
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
Stay the Course
Hadassah from Jerusalem
“Pussy cat Pussy cat where have you been?”
“I went to London to visit the Queen.”
“Pussy cat, Pussy cat, what did you there?”
“I frightened the mouse under her chair.”
A familiar nursery rhyme. And a bit of silly little nonsense to entertain our children.
Little Pussy Cat had a mission, so to speak. He was going to London to visit the Queen. A very important mission actually. Taking whatever preparations necessary to make the journey, he was going to go before his Sovereign. A pilgrimage of sorts. And after planning and making provision and traveling with determination to be in her presence, what did he do? He frightened a mouse under her chair.
A very worthwhile endeavor. Something that was actually easy for him to do. Something that needed to be done. But, he got distracted from the original plan. His eyes were off the Queen and his visit with her. He forgot his main purpose for coming.
These couplets have a very important lesson and warning for us all. Especially for those who love the Jewish people and Israel. Those who know the Lord’s heart to support, pray for and bless them.
There are many worthwhile and necessary causes in this world. So many in need of comfort and help and support. At every turn there are those crying out for what we have to give.
We are not to turn a deaf ear to their cries. We are to be the hands and heart and words of Y’shua to those around us. But there is a need to guard what the Lord has entrusted to us and not neglect it because of being distracted by the clamor of the world’s need.
It is imperative that we not let the noise of the world keep us from hearing the voice of the Lord. For the tyranny of the urgent compel us to take on burdens that are not ours to carry.
Distraction means to divert or draw away. We can be so drawn away from our commitment to the Jewish people and Israel that we ‘forget’. Forget to intercede. Forget to share the Good News. Forget to support financially. Just plain forget that we are but a remnant within the Body of Christ.
And it can be very painful to have to weigh out our commitments. To get involved in some of those that are clamoring for our attention and not others.
I’ll give an example: There was a young man who was living in a foreign country where the Bible is not available. There were many Believers living in that country in order to share the Good News with the citizens. The people’s need was great and they were hungry for the Truth. This young man had been sent there specifically to be with the Jewish community. His work was massive and he was pretty much alone in that field.
When asked why he didn’t have Bible studies for the hungry neighbors and students around him his answer: "If I opened up for Bible study, I would be able to have 3-5 studies a day, seven days a week and it would be different groups all the time. I know how great the need is. But there are many here to do just that. Hundreds actually. However, I am the only one here for the Jews."
He knew his purpose. As painful as it was to not have the Bible studies, if he did, there would be no one left for the Jewish people. He kept the course and trusted God to take care of the others. He did not allow distraction to sway him off his mission.
The Enemy knows God’s heart towards the Jewish people and Israel. He knows the importance of their redemption, restoration and return to the Land. He is well aware of the return of Y’shua and will try to thwart God’s plans. He is the Master of Distraction, drawing us off course and diverting our energies. Of course the activities we would be engaged in can all be necessary, helpful and very righteous. But in the meantime…. What about the burden of Israel. Who will be picking up what we may lay down?
Proverbs 4:25-27 is our encouragement to live intentionally. Purposefully. And not be distracted by ‘the mouse under the chair’ so to speak.
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the left or the right…"
Listen. Know for certain your mission. Stay the course and resist distraction.
Shalom!
Hadassah
Nissim & Hadassah
Jerusalem, Israel
Hadassah and Nissim, her accountant husband, live in a settlement just outside Jerusalem with their dog Molly. After making Aliyah (immigrating) from the U.S. with their five children in 1989, they are now semi-retired and open their home to guests and those wishing to make Aliyah. When not busy with their 16 'GrandWonders', they enjoy a quiet life of study, prayer and learning to serve the LORD. #8 09.09.17
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