This morning I woke up feeling like it was time to go to bed, like every year of my life creaked and groaned somewhere or someplace in my connections. Purpose felt dried and brittle. Pieces of life felt disconnected.
Then I read Psalm 92, a song sung as part of Old Testament Sabbath worship. It contrasts weakened scattered enemies of God with the strength and vitality of the righteous.
“They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green…”
I like sappy and green, don’t you? 
To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Ps. 92:14-15; NASB.
That little preposition “to” jumped out at me.
“To declare …”
Prepositions and conjunctions are everywhere in Scripture joining words and clauses. I’ve overlooked them. Little insignificant words, mere prepositions like “and,” “but,” “or,” “to,” get overlooked next to big gun action verbs, proper nouns and descriptive adjectives. I am starting to sit up and take notice of the little guys.
God’s words are intentional, even ones I may have ignored in the past. It turns out insignificant connecters are very important to God.
Maybe prepositions and connecting words are kinda like people. Little people, like me, maybe even you, and lesser known characters in the Bible, God knows each one. Those myriad of conjunctive people, part of the body of Christ, the “ands” “for” and “buts.” Yes, even the buts. Big and important lacks context without those tiny connectors.
I’ve not paid enough attention to the conjunctions in my life.
Christ’s church, is made of a vast body of parts, many of them overlooked and unnoticed, but each with inestimable purpose and value.
When life throws hard stuff, “so that” makes sense out of suffering. “Therefore,” gives context to what the next passage is “there for” by joining it with what came before. “But God” changes direction drastically,Christ’s church is made of a vast body of parts, many of them overlooked and unnoticed, but each with inestimable purpose and value Share on X turning us 180 degrees, and “in Christ” births life from death. Twists and caveats pivot on those tiny words and phrases.
I’ve skipped over a lot of conjunctive bridges in my life, but this one from Psalm 92, breathed hope into me as much as any verb, noun, or adjective. The Psalmist, although he faced wicked foes who rose up against him, enemies, and workers of iniquity, did not despair. He exercised thanks and praise. He intentionally chose to do right. He found purpose and life in his circumstances.
“To declare:
-The Lord is upright.
-He is my rock.
-No unrighteousness is in Him.
When my green and sappy feels gray and dry, a little “to” provides the “why” to keep on, to push ahead.
In spite of weariness, a few worn edges or irrelevant status, I have a few sappy and green declarations left in me. How about you?
Barbara Latta
Sylvia, I like green and sappy better too. What a difference those little conjunctions can make when they are in the right place. IN Christ is the best one!
Sylvia schroeder
Barbara, In Christ is a wonderful example! Thanks!
J.D. Wininger
Another great post! I too love those connectors. I love too when God uses us as one. 🙂 When we can connect others in the body of Christ to another or to help them engage in God’s service, it becomes a double-blessing. Thank you for this inspiring post this morning. Anything by insignificant my friend.
Sylvia schroeder
Thanks J.D. you always connect me with grace and blessing. God has given you the gift of encouragement!
emily
Great post! I have given a lot of thought the past few years to the significance of the insignificant. In fact I just bought a book the other day about Joseph of Arimathea because he and others in the Bible who don’t get much limelight have so much to teach us. I hope my insignificant life has a lot to offer too. Thanks for this post.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Emily. I love hearing from you. I too have been chewing on the significance of the insignificant. I love the way you phrased that. Surely if God called us to Himself, that alone makes us significant to Him.
Katherine Pasour
Even when we don’t quite feel up to it, God still welcomes us as part of His family, a member of the body of Christ. And we are a special and contributing part of that body. Thank you for reminding us of the importance of connection.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Katherine. I am often tempted to want to be a more important piece in today’s world. God has been reminding me of His love for the little people and their importance in His kingdom. We hold such privilege in our position in Christ and being a part within His body, the church.
Steph
Many young people have the idea that they’ll live for God when they get older. Then I’ve heard a lot of older people say it’s time to take it easy and let others do for God.
We serve our God in the present, just as He is present with us here and now.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Steph for weighing in. I’ve heard the same sentiments. I appreciate your comment that we serve our God in the present as He is present with us here and now. Great observation. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Nancy Speizer
We’ll, I declare!
With my sappy green
may I declare that
JESUS IS MY ROCK‼️
Sylvia Schroeder
Yes!