As a preacher and writer, I use a lot of words, hopefully most of them simple with meanings well known. Lately, maybe because of my age, I find myself doubting the way I have spelled a word, and I check it out. Most of the time I use my cell phone, but as a creature of habit, I sometimes reach for my dictionary.
I wanted to write that something was enelegant, but rightfully doubting myself, I reached for the dictionary, and there it was spelled not with an e but with an i: inelegant.
Loving and curious about words, the next entry in my trustworthy Webster’s got my attention, the word… . Who could resist checking it out, and there it was, “not to be avoided or escaped; inevitable.” And the pronunciation, in-ih-luk-tuh-bul.
So much for the word study, but it is purposeful. During the last days of the old year and the first of the new, I have spent more time than usual in prayer and personal reflection. Psalm 139 has been a central prompter. I’m sure the writer of the psalm didn’t know my new word, but it came to mind, ineluctable. Permeating the psalm is the loving presence and guidance of the Lord, and that is ineluctable. Throughout this long psalm, there words like these that come off as emotional outbursts,
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me (vs. 1)
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely (vs. 4)
All the days ordained for me were written in your book (vs. 16)
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God (vs. 17)
I read, reflect, pray and I know, with the Psalmist, the Loving Presence and Guidance of the Lord is ineluctable. Despite the painful thoughts of what’s going on in the Ukraine, and awareness of the threat of China; despite weariness with what appears to be a helpless national government because of the hateful division of the political parties, even aware of the division in my own church denomination, I have hope and joy because the Loving Presence and Guidance of the Lord is ineluctable.