Ghosting
In the previous blog I addressed this rather ‘strange & wonderful’ 21st century word and the definition thereof.
At first light the term has little or nothing to do with the topic of
ghosts, until we examine it carefully. (And I have wondered if the
creator of the word had any thought, whatsoever, of the manner in which I
would, ultimately, characterize it).
As I previously inferred,
(particularly) in my role as a mentor I have experienced the loss of
established friends who began as disciples; (for they had submitted
themselves to being taught). And what has been especially hurtful is
their almost unilateral unwillingness to explain themselves.
Readers, it almost goes without saying, the loss of such ‘near and dear’
people in my life has been excruciating, and the healing process has
been difficult, at best.
In Part 1 of this article I expressed
how that Jesus, Himself ‘walked the way of the cross’ well before you
and me, (and in this case, I am referring to some difficult emotions He
experienced during the three years of His formal ministry; not the least
of which was the loss of valued friends).
GHOSTING - “To break
off a valued and established relationship; without so much as a word or
a reason, and with little apparent concern for he or she whom one has
chosen to dispatch.”
(McDonald Paraphase)
Yep. Been there. Done that. Bought the T-shirt. Once on the ‘giving end.’ Scads of times on the ‘receiving end.’
And it hasn’t been cool. And it hasn’t been keen. And it hasn’t been
swell. And it hasn’t been groovy. No, my friend. It has hurt like
h_ _ _. The wounds are slow to heal, and prone to fester.
A famous magician and daredevil by the name of Harry Houdini had a
fascination for the occult, and promised his wife that if he preceded
her in death, and if he was at able to make it happen, he would
posthumously revisit her. Well, as it fell together, Houdini died at a
relatively young age, and for some time thereafter Mrs. Houdini
conducted séances in an attempt to contact her dearly departed husband.
To no avail.
Interestingly enough, (I think) in the Old Testament
there is a reference to this very type of activity. Bear with me since I
believe it is important here to cite the words of that particular
passage. (Are you ready)?
Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had
mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had
expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.
The Philistines
assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all
Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. When Saul saw the Philistine army, he
was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the LORD, but the
LORD did not answer him.
Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”
“There is one in Endor,” they said.
So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he
and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and
bring up for me the one I name.”
Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?”
“Bring up Samuel,” he said.
The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?”
The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth.”
Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”
“I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting
against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me,
either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what
to do.”
Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has
departed from you and become your enemy? The LORD will deliver both
Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and
your sons will be with me. The LORD will also give the army of Israel
into the hands of the Philistines.” (1st Samuel, Chapter 28)
(to be continued)
By William McDonald, PhD. From (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 44. Copyright pending
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