“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” Isaiah 55:1
Occasionally Katie and I will ‘go to karaoke.’ Which is a strange statement, since karaoke is not a PLACE to GO but a thing to DO. But we both understand what the term means. Having not been for a while, we combined dinner, karaoke and a visit with our friends, Gil and Rhonda, who RUN Karaoke. Another confusing statement we understand.
Katie doesn’t like to ‘sing karaoke!’ Which is kind of strange because she’s better than a lot of folks at it. Having suggested a song to her a while back, I was surprised when she started practicing. She practiced, putting in time and effort, in hopes of doing a good job. Which is ALSO confusing because, the only person that needed to be SATISFIED with her performance, was HER!
It was great fun! I sat and clapped at her performance as she sang Dua Lipa’s, “Don’t Start Now!” A song she hardly knew. I was SOOOO proud of her for doing what didn’t come natural…overcoming fear in the process! As Katie walked of the stage, an insensitive lady suggested she ‘practice more!’
It’s Thanksgiving week! I have been relaxing a little more. Since Katie doesn’t work this week, we have taken to sleeping in a little longer. Which is a treat we rarely get to enjoy. But ‘sleeping in’ can also make me feel GUILTY! Like Katie’s Karaoke episode, I carry an ‘expectation of performance’ which is higher than what others demand. And it comes with a price!
This Isaiah verse has a term that is confusing as well. “You who have no money, come, BUY and eat.” How does someone BUY something without money? Especially when that ‘something’ is typically more extravagant and expensive! As with karaoke, this verse is clear that it isn’t about the participant’s performance or ability. It’s about the transaction!
I am hungry and thirsty for something that ordinary food cannot satisfy. What I ‘desire’ is not even available to me here on earth…at ANY price! But ‘The Master’ gives me heart clues that it IS available. AND that ‘something’ must take place before my ‘extravagant desire’ can be acquired.
The word ‘BUY’ in Hebrew is ‘shabar.’ It kinda means to ‘make a transaction.’ Something that has to happen before something else does. What God is saying here, and Jesus emphasizes later on, is that HIS extravagant resources ARE acquirable! But not in the ordinary way. Though it doesn’t cost money…it DOES require, from me, EVERYTHING I am!
Happy Thanksgiving Week. A time when it isn’t about my ‘performance’ or ‘resources,’ but an attitude of gratefully receiving from an EXTRAVAGANT GIVER!. A complete exchange of what I am, for what, and who, HE is! And I don’t even have to practice!
