If you were a reader of the "Thimble Theater" cartoons in the funny papers on January 17, 1929, then you would have caught the first appearance of Popeye the Sailor Man.
Those of us who read the Bible as well as the funny papers occasionally notice a connection between some of Popeye's greatest lines and...God's...
Most notably, Popeye refers to himself in this way: "I yam what I yam..." which is quite nearly a direct quote from what God said to Moses at the Burning Bush. You can look it up and see it for yourself. Try Exodus 3:14 or thereabouts.
The problem back in Moses' day was that God wanted Moses to go and speak for God, to Pharaoh, to say "Let My People Go". They were in bondage in Egypt and were short on daily rations and were making bricks without straw, which might have been the last straw. Moses, who had grown up in the lap of luxury in the Pharaoh's court, as the Pharaoh's adopted grandson, had fled to the Wilderness (which is somewhere East of the Econlockhatchee?) and was minding his own business tending sheep when God appeared via a bush that burned but was not consumed, and gave Moses his commission to release the captive Israelites and take them to The Promised Land.
Now, the Israelites were a motley crew, so were Olive Oyl, Bluto, Wimpy and Sweet'Pea. Or viska versa, as Popeye puts it.
So how did Moses manage it? Moses put the "manna" in manage.
How did Popeye manage it? Spinach!
Strong stuff. Popeye has even admitted publicly that he hates the stuff, but he eats it because he knows what's good for him.
You have something to do today that may take lots of effort. You may have some Olive Oyls and Wimpys to help and to guide to a happy conclusion not unlike the Promised Land (here, you see, all of the stories are getting woven together)...
So, eat your spinach!
Do what is good for you to do in order for you to do what God needs you to do.
And you will be strong to the finish.
It really is that simple.
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