It is what it is

There is a section in the first chapter of the book that talks about Popeye the Sailor Man and his catch phrase: “I yam what I yam.” Now Popeye predates me so I’ll go a step further. I remember the movie starring Robin Williams as Popeye that was produced in 1980. He sings a song: “I yam what I yam and that’s all that I yam, what I yam.” I can still hear it distinctly. I often wondered how Williams’ voice and eye (the squinty one) survived the making of that movie!

If you’re still too young, how about Friends’ Joey Tribiani’s famous line, “I’m Joey. I’m disgusting.” The way he delivered that line was much the same as when Popeye said “I yam what I yam.” This is all you can expect of me. How could you expect any more out of me than this? What you see is what you get.

Today, a very popular phrase is “It is what it is.” And I wonder if it is a scapegoat. The phrase allows us to distance ourselves from the situation. SomeTHING went wrong rather than I did something I shouldn’t have. I can be disappointed in what happened which is much easier to tolerate than I’m disappointed in myself.

Things are worse than they ever were before. I’m just … well, me … what can I possibly do to help?

But what if I didn’t just accept the way things are and acknowledge that I can be a part of the solution? I can morph into the being that I was intended to be. And God is in me and around me and through me. Over and under. And God is I AM.

Exodus 3:1-11

1.     How might Moses’ life, and the history of Israel, have been different if he had not bothered to turn aside when God spoke to him?

I’m going to be blunt. Gonna keep it real. I despise questions like this. This is how my mind works … God knows Moses like only God can know us. He knows the good, the bad and the ugly. He knows Moses’ strengths, weaknesses and what moves him. And He has all of the answers. Ignore that God is omniscient as well and allow free will to operate. I think God chose a burning yet unconsumed bush because He knew that Moses would turn aside for that.

What if Moses didn’t turn aside? God would try again. And again. If Moses still refused, God would find someone else. God’s plan will be carried out. We’d just be referring to the books of the Bible written by Aaron or Bob or even Miriam.

2.    How did your slowing down and turning toward God impact your life?

I’ll admit. I don’t slow down. I walk with purpose. Even if I’m just going home to nothing in particular. Point A to point B – a straight line – the shortest distance between the two.

In the recent, extremely recent, weeks, I have been slowing down for people. OK, women. To get to know them. Officially introduce myself. Share a part of myself. Welcome them. Appreciate them. Start a conversation without the constraints of time lines. This morning I devoted an hour and a half to someone and she reciprocated and God was there. And I’ve discovered that – surprise surprise – I’m not alone. We are all struggling in some way shape or form. But we always leave each other feeling affirmed and worthy of someone else’s time.

That was an example of me fighting against my natural tendencies to remain a hermit. Here’s an example where God proved that He knows how to get my attention. Yesterday, I stopped by church and heard Christian Rock blaring from the Sanctuary. My mind didn’t have to decide to follow. My feet took their direction immediately from my ears. Music gets my attention. It’s in my every fiber. And I confess, I’ve been wanting the opportunity to Rock His House. To pull a David. To sing and dance with abandon to His praise and glory and honor …

saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

Revelation 5:12 (ESV)