What Matters More

The fifth chapter of 2 Kings relates the story of Naaman. While not a Jew, he was a well-respected general of the army of a country that bordered Israel. Naaman developed a serious skin disease and sought help in Israel. After being directed to the house of the prophet Elisha, the general was told to go immerse himself seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman was beyond offended. The Jordan was a sometimes shallow, usually muddy and unsightly stream. Naaman, right off the top of his head, named several rivers much cleaner and prettier. Why can’t I use one of them? Naaman stomped off towards the direction he’d come from, not even bothering to get into his chariot.

In one of the “Family Circus” comic strips, seven-year-old Billy is dressed up to play doctor. His outfit consists of a (toy) stethoscope, a clipboard (patient’s chart), a lunch box (doctor’s bag) with “M.D.” on it, and a white t-shirt (lab coat). Billy goes over to his father and says, “Hi, Daddy! Anything you want taken out?” Billy’s dad leans over from his chair, looks down at his son, and replies, “Yes. The trash.” And Billy’s smile becomes a frown.

These two incidents are more than 2,700 years apart. But it is clear from the reaction of the principal characters – quite different in age – that public perception and prestige has and still does often take priority over what matters more. Sometimes this means doing what we should do rather than doing what we want to do.

I suspect Billy did take out the trash. I know Naaman’s servants convinced him to go to the Jordan River and do what mattered more. Not only was the general healed, he recognized and acknowledged God as the one true God. And I need to recognize and acknowledge what matters more for me is that I am faithful in doing what God calls me to do, whether it’s writing, photographing nature, or making sure the garbage is taken out on Friday.