Henry Miller, an American novelist and short story writer once remarked: “The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.” Romans 12:2 reminds us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
A Holding Pen is defined as a temporary enclosure for confining livestock or pets, but it can also appertain to life. The final year of schooling has been deemed by some to be similar to a holding pen in life. It is the year that precedes the initial release into society, and the forthcoming maturity of man or womanhood. As the restrictive gates are finally lifted, one may find themselves in a vast orchard with many pickings, its voraciousness provides the scope to satisfy hunger and anticipation and allow for close detail. The buds on the trees eventually transform into bloom and one may obtain a sudden sense of carefree liberation. The unknown mysteries and awe of life are often revealed in full veracity and one is suddenly faced with the prospects of a challenging new life with unrehearsed situations..
Measures need to be applied by those who rule, to control unruly behavior and crimes against the state for the protection of the innocent. Whatever considerations are deemed as to the value of a holding pen, it still primarily remains a place of confinement and restriction. For adults, a penal institution is probably the more appropriate descriptive terminology. It is a place where those who have perpetrated the laws of the land are held for a stipulated period of time in punishment for deeds committed. It is a place for reform, to assess the wrongdoings in life and hopefully, when the gates are reopened, emerge a new person.
Life is known for its constant challenges. The reassuring security or comfort of adolescence becomes lost in age. James 1:2-4 reminds us: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” The invitational scope in the orchard of life allows for different options, not only do the fruit trees provide a choice for nourishment and different tastes, they offer experiences of new adventures. Revelation 11:1-19 reminds us: “Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit[a] will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!”
And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come. Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.”
On a metaphorical note, like babies who flourish and are nurtured in a mother’s womb until the designated moment of birth, release from a holding pen could be considered as a similar experience. As a new born baby first opens its eyes after the security of the womb, the world may appear opaque and indistinct, but a vision is definitely there, even in its limitation. Such is the same when sheep and other livestock are first released from a holding pen, they may react in chaotic, cluttered confusion, for suddenly a new freedom is found. They don’t know which way to turn, they dart from one way to the other until reasoning and the realization of full sight is restored, then calmness quietens.
The same could be said with a first experience of God. We may not know which way to turn initially, a future vision may be incomplete and the excitement of everything new may be slightly overwhelming until we become adjusted. Then we feel the serenity of God as our shepherd. Calmness descends and peace prevails. Henri Matisse, a French visual artist once remarked: “What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.”
Whether it be the holding pen of schooling, or the holding pen before a new life experience, fear should never exist, all apprehension should be waved and the trust of another needs to prevail. This will soothe any turbulence and provide peace and comfort within. 1 Peter 1:3-9 reminds us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Amen.
