Simeon, Michael, and Unique Opportunities

Yesterday morning I read and wrote about Simeon. God has promised Simeon that he will see the Messiah before he dies; he’s hoping, waiting, anticipating…

Joseph and Mary take the month-old Jesus to the temple to present him to God. God tells Simeon to go to the temple where he recognises that this one baby is the special Messiah.

Later I gave a ‘thought for the day’ to those running our church café. I described Simeon waiting for many years for one event. ‘Moved by the Spirit’ he was alert enough to see and seize that one opportunity… With our God’s help we can be alert to unique opportunities.

I continued musing… the Good Samaritan. At the start of the Samaritan’s day he couldn’t have known that he’d meet the injured traveller. He gets actively involved, spending time, care, money… alert to the unique opportunity.

I started singing the old Four Tops song ‘Just Walk Away Renee’. Rather than getting involved they’re walking away…

I googled the song. It’s a song of unrequited love, written by Michael Brown who says that he wrote it about his infatuation with ‘a free-spirited and tall blonde’ called Renée Fladen. He wanted to get actively involved; perhaps there may have been a unique opportunity. Walking away was the right choice.

This morning, walking along the beach, just before sunrise, I’m aware of two dark figures approaching me. They get closer. The first to pass me is jogging; the second is accompanied by an active collie-dog, who’s running on ahead of his owner.

Lost in my own thoughts and prayers I hear, ‘He’s bitten my leg! You should keep him under control.’ Was this a unique opportunity to get involved, my Simeon or Good Samaritan moment? I choose to walk away. The opportunity’s gone.

…So I’m musing on distinguishing the ‘moved by the Spirit’ involvement from the ‘Just walk away, Malcolm.’ …and on James’ words: ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously…’