Gratuitous

The good thing about squirrels is, they run around all willy-nilly and jump from tree limb to tree limb. I can’t do that. You probably can’t do that. Santa Clause definitely can’t do that. Some squirrels can even fly, well “fly” in some semblances of the term. A fun trick to play on squirrels is to sit motionless for hours and hours. You know, wait for them to get real comfortable with you being there. Then wait a little longer just for good measure. Finally, when a friendly one wanders near you as it forages for squirrel food or squirrel toys, you just jump up real loud and then dump paint on it! The best part is, who’s ever seen a pink squirrel? Let’s see if they run around so carefree and willy-nilly then.

Something that sticks out to me about the ‘paint attack method’ is all that waiting. It seems kind of…'gratuitous'. That’s what I’d call it anyhow. But sometimes ‘gratuitous waiting’ is absolutely necessary. That’s something Joshua can teach us. Have you ever wondered why God chose him to succeed Moses? Joshua was the one that lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. I think I know why. (Bible)

Joshua spent gratuitous amounts of time in God’s presence. He’d just hang out in the tent with God after Moses went off do whatever it is he would do in the wilderness (btw, what did Moses do for fun? I’d guess badminton). If we want God to use us to accomplish His mighty works, then we need to learn from Joshua and ‘waste’ time in God’s presence – time that could even be spent in ‘productive’ ways. After God appointed Joshua as the new leader, his life blew up. God had so many victories and accomplishments lined up that He had to keep giving Joshua psych up talks, telling him to be ‘Bold and Courageous’ (Bible).

So, by all means, if you don’t want God to use you for the exciting and powerful things, then don’t spend time in His presence. If you do want to be used, then learn to spend gratuitous amounts of time with God.

(p.s. pink squirrels!)