Nougat 8

My friend Richard Strachan honored the memory of his dad’s birthday by sharing the story behind his dad’s favorite word, ‘CLURT’. May CLURT become a favorite of ours after reading Today’s Holy Nougat

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

CLURT (Come Let Us Reason Together)

Trust me siblings when I tell you, thanks to Richard, I’ve expanded my vocabulary. Well, actually thanks to his dad. CLURT is an invitation to prayer, a call to be in as profound or simple time of conversation with God, our Creator. And best of all, CLURT tells us that it is God Who desires to be in conversation with us.

Now since we’re claiming CLURT as a word, we can recognize it as a verb. It invites us to act. I’d argue that although it’s in the infinitive, like a command, it’s also present and future tense.

Just think …

Life is going great, and we have a moment’s pause:

God says ‘CLURT’.

We’re stressed and overwhelmed because of broken or unhealthy relationships:

God says ‘CLURT’

The bills are mounting and we can’t see a way out to cover them all

God says ‘CLURT’

We’ve messed up spiritually (and perhaps legally), and the consequences are serious

God says ‘CLURT’

Our studies are overwhelming, and we’re tempted to cheat or walk away

God says ‘CLURT’

Our loved one/s have left us behind, the grief is devastating

God says ‘CLURT’

We’ve found the love and contemplating the next level

God says ‘CLURT’

We’re unemployed, and the job market is unstable

God says ‘CLURT’

We’ve gotten an offer that looks too good to be true

God says ‘CLURT’

We’ve hit rock bottom and can’t find our way to get back up

God says ‘CLURT’

Life is depressing, and doesn’t seem worth holding on to

God says ‘CLURT’

We’ve got decisions to make, big or small, and we need direction

God says ‘CLURT’

We’re feeling far from God, because we’ve not yet committed to Jesus or we’ve faltered

God says ‘CLURT’

There’s other stuff going on, to deep for words,

God says ‘CLURT’

In one sense, it is the same as go hol’ a meds (ie spend time meditating), but only if that ‘meds’ is with Jesus. For a meds with Jesus is an opportunity to be in the presence of the Almighty, and get support for whatever ails us. That’s what God’s inviting us to when God says ‘CLURT’

Whether we’re old or young; rich or poor; racially marginalized or racial majority; upper, middle or lower class; student, teacher, working, unemployed or incarcerated; healthy or unwell; free or bound; strong or weak; mentally stable, traumatized or facing mental challenges; leader or follower; saints or sinners:

God says ‘CLURT’.

In fact, God desires that we come as we are, and God will clean us up. Whatever we face, wherever we are, we’ve got life; there is hope, because:

God says ‘CLURT’

Will we take the time to reason with God?

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May all we seek be found in Christ