Topic: spirituality
Interesting how I laugh at so many things that I didn't laugh at a quarter of a century ago. Finding my sense of humor has been the silver lining in the dark clouds for me.
I laughed really hard twelve years ago, the day I discovered Micah 6:5, a very funny verse in the Bible, despite it's seriousness. Read it aloud for the fullest benefit. No offense intended--the meaning isn't lost in the laughter. For people who have been through the nonsense of spiritual bondage imposed by people of power in the institutional church, this verse is profound.
"Remember your journey from Shittam to Gilgal," the bold prophet Micah told his listeners. The first syllable of Shittam is what had me laughing, of course. I'd skimmed over that verse many times, no doubt, and never seen it before. I didn't even know exactly what it meant. Figured there would be no real significance for the survivor's journey in the places of Shittam or Gilgal. Was I ever wrong! It was SO significant that I turned it into an article for the Linkup newsletter!!
Shittam was the place where the Israelites camped before they crossed the Jordan River in their final leg of the long journey from Egypt to Canaan. They were still in the wilderness in Shittam, not sure what might lay ahead. They'd never seen it.
Gilgal was the place where they celebrated, when they realized they were no longer going to be wandering in the wilderness. Nor did they have to ever worry about going back to Egypt. They didn't need that place anymore.
I don't know just where your Shittam may be on the metaphorical scale. Perhaps you haven't gotten to it yet. You may be fortunate enough to have stumbled on this blog, having never experienced Shittam--at least not yet. If you have been there or if it's yet to come, just remember how close it is to Gilgal, though you may not realize it you are in the vicinity. Gilgal--a place to celebrate. One to look forward to. And not in the "sweet by and by" after death, as so many survivors even make the tragic mistake of believing just before suicide.
Gilgal is the place of freedom. Here on this earth. We may sometimes walk back into the wilderness of confusion, but we know how to get to Gilgal.
If you haven't found it, I trust that you will. If you have found it, that's something to celebrate. Either way, I'd love to hear from you. I want to know how this relates to your personal journey.
