This week’s WAWA was an individual competition where we “measured” how many times participants could do a circuit of exercises under a specific amount of time.  The idea of measurement is a common way that we can judge if we’re hitting the mark …. or way off; if we’re putting too much of something into a recipe…or not enough; or if we’ve cut something exactly right….or, unfortunately, cut it too much!  How many of you have heard the saying, “Measure twice, cut once“?

Last week, the men’s Bible Study group that I lead on Friday mornings wrapped up a short 2-month study on the book, “The True Measure of a Man” written by Richard Simons.  As we wrapped up the book, we listened to a podcast from a guy named Jerry Leachman, who also wrote the Forward section of that same book.  In that podcast, Jerry shares his thoughts from the Gospel of Mark:

“Take heed what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given to you.”  (Mark 4:24)

There’s that word again….”measure“.

Interestingly enough, Mark is reminding us that the first move in on us.  What we receive in terms of judgement, mercy, condemnation, and anything else, according to Mark, is derived by what we do first.  Part of me wants to believe the apostle Mark is the Clint Eastwood of the disciples, and he’s sitting back reminding us to make that first move….all the while saying “Do you feel lucky?”.

Then there’s the other side of me that takes the Hollywood characters out of the Gospel of Mark.  Put all those actors and actresses aside, and remind yourself of (perhaps) the other reason for this piece of scripture.  Ever heard the saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.  Yup….that’s the Golden Rule.  See the connection?

Now, before anyone jumps up and down and says, “Wait one minute….our God is not one who has this quid pro quo relationship with us”.  Yes…I absolutely agree and that’s not what I’m suggesting.  I do, however, believe that there are checks and balances in our universe and this is one reminder of that.

Here’s a few extensions of this scripture that one might extrapolate out:

“Give nothing….and you will get nothing…”

“Do evil … and you will receive evil…”

“Do good … and you will receive good….”

Ultimately, we all have to make up our minds on what we have to do.  I think there are two paths we can follow.  One path is to believe that Mark is completely wrong…and there’s no basis for his measurement analogy.  Or another path, believing that perhaps Mark is right….and it’s better to follow the Golden Rule……

Either way…each of us will have to make up our mind on which path we will follow, how to live our life….and by what standard each of us will be … measured.

Go ahead……it’s your move!

Peace!