Dearly Beloved,
“Go figure!” Do you know the origin of the phrase? Guess what? It is not known, but it likely stems from colloquial American English in the 20th century. It is thought to have originated as a shortened, casual form of saying, “Go and figure that out,” meaning, “Try to make sense of that if you can.”
The phrase is used in a variety of ways, for example:
- “He never studies but always gets the highest grades. Go figure.” (Surprise)
- “They spent millions on a marketing campaign, and sales dropped. Go figure.” (Irony)
- “She loves pineapple on pizza but hates regular pizza. Go figure.” (Confusion)
Then there are tons of things that are hard to figure out or understand. For example, Proverbs 30:19 says:
There are three things which are too wonderful for me,
Four which I do not understand:
The way of an eagle in the sky,
The way of a serpent on a rock,
The way of a ship in the middle of the sea,
And the way of a man with a maid.
Then there are mysteries! The Word of God highlights these:
- Mystery of the Kingdom of God Mark 4:11
- Mystery of Israel’s Hardening Rom. 11:25-26
- Mystery of the Church Eph. 3:4-6
- Mystery of the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15:51-52
- Mystery of the Gospel Eph. 6:19
- Mystery of Christ Col. 1:26-27
- Mystery of Godliness 1 Tim. 3:16
- Mystery of Iniquity or Lawlessness 2 Thess. 2:7
We have titled our Christmas series, “The Mystery of Christmas” taken from 1 Tim. 3:16. My message this Sunday is based on one phrase, “Was vindicated in the Spirit.” (referring to Christ)
Perhaps you are thinking how can you prepare a message from those 5 words. Guess what? I am still trying to “figure it out!” I will say that understanding those 5 words are essential in living the abundant life that Jesus came to give us. “I have come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
Because the Word became flesh,
Glen