The company we keep

In today’s reading, we learn about Samson. An angel foretold his birth. His birth was foretold by an angel, who gave his mother specific instructions, including that his hair must never be cut. The Angel also told her that he would be dedicated to God and begin to rescue Israel from the oppressive Philistines. Samson ends up being a one-man army, having once killed 1,000 men with the donkey’s jawbone.

Sometimes, I wonder what my life story would be like if I had stayed on the right path, man, the costly mistakes I could have avoided. Reading Judges 13-16, I wonder what Samson’s life story would have looked like if he had honored his parents. His parents didn’t want him to marry a Philistine woman, but he didn’t listen and was ultimately double-crossed, losing his strength, his eyes, and his life. However, in the end, the blind, Spirit-empowered Samson killed 3,000 Philistines.

I can’t help but think that Samson may have done even more damage to the Philistines if he hadn’t hooked up with the pagan women. This still rings true today: even hanging out with the wrong crowd can have devastating consequences. We have to be mindful of who we let into our lives. It’s imperative to be plugged in and involved with our Christian communities.

Does this person bring out the best in me? Do they encourage and support me? Do they respect my values?

‘As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. ‘
Proverbs 27:17

I remember my sophomore year in high school, my biology teacher, Mrs. Weatherford, told me, “When you marry somebody, you marry their whole family.” At the time, I didn’t think about it too much and just laughed it off. Reading about Samson and the women he chose, I think when you marry someone, you marry their families, friends, beliefs, customs, and everyone they associate with.

‘Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? ‘
2 Corinthians 6:14