[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during May 2023]
“If I forgot your silly birthday would you mind?” The question was posed by Henry Higgins in his monologue deploring the perceived inconsistency of the female mind. In the musical “My Fair Lady”, Higgins set out to rescue a young lady from her hopeless circumstances, only for her to turn her back on him and place her affections elsewhere. Higgins may have had a point about birthdays – some of us have had rather a lot of them – but he was primarily reacting to having been discarded and forgotten. Job expressed a similar sentiment:
My relatives have gone away; my closest friends have forgotten me. Job 19 v14 [NIVUK]
I had not previously noticed any degree of similarity between “My Fair Lady” and God’s plan of salvation. The musical records how the attempt to save one person resulted in disappointment and disillusion. On a global scale, God provides a way to rescue poor lost souls and promise them a future, only to have the offer forgotten or ignored. Of course, the motivations are completely different – Higgins was conducting a social experiment whereas God …
so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3 v16 [BSB][1]
Which is worse – being ignored or being forgotten? Overlooked or neglected? No doubt we have all encountered the shop assistant whose telephone conversation was more important than the needs of the customer. What about expecting an invitation that never materialised?
How does God feel about his offer of salvation being forgotten or ignored? The writer of the letter to the Hebrews reminds us of the consequences:
The message spoken by angels proved to be true, and all who disobeyed or rejected it were punished as they deserved. So if we refuse this great way of being saved, how can we hope to escape? Hebrews 2 v2-3 [CEV]
Another translation of the same passage warns us against neglecting our salvation. In this context, ‘neglect’ means to fail to give adequate attention to something for which you have some degree of responsibility. You cannot neglect your neighbour’s garden – it is not within your remit, unless you are asked to help. By contrast, the outcome of neglecting your own garden is both detrimental and inevitable. Very soon, your neglect will become obvious to those people around you.
Do you ever get the feeling that you may have forgotten something? Is there something that you have overlooked? What about neglecting your faith? It too can be compared to a garden in that it needs cultivating and diligent attention if it is going to produce its full potential. Even the Garden of Eden required some maintenance.[2]
The Eternal One will never leave you; He will lead you in the way that you should go. When you feel dried up and worthless, God will nourish you and give you strength. And you will grow like a garden lovingly tended; you will be like a spring whose water never runs out.
Isaiah 58 v11 [The Voice]
Resources:
[1] BSB: Berean Standard Bible, via biblehub.com
[2] Genesis 2 v15
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Last week’s reflection: You’re Invited!
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys