I’ve been struggling to write these last couple of weeks. I’ve started a couple of post but did not feel let to publish them, at least not now. My mind has been pre occupied with my girls who are gone for the summer. Not that it’s a bad thing, just different. I’m use to summer afternoons with them, to coming home and they being there, to planning our summer vacation with their input. That’s not happening this year, so it’s just different.
I’ve actually always been one to embrace change, believing that life is not static so why should we covet that. Unfortunately change brings fear in many peoples’ lives, and who wants that. But God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2Tim 1:7 Also many of us do not like change because it disrupts and affects our lives. We believe or incorrectly assume that we know what is best in regards to the future. In Matt 16:21-23 Peter rebuked Jesus, when Jesus told him what was about to happen.
When my kids started driving there was a constant concern which I’m sure many of you parents can surely relate. That is to be expected, but at some point I needed to give that up. I believe it was my feeble attempt to hold on to some sort of control. But the reality is we have no such control, and the sooner we realize that the better.
So next time someone cuts you off, or says something stupid to you, react as God would have you and relish the peace that comes with it. Believe me, this is extremely difficult, I struggle with this quite a bit, but when successful, it’s quite calming.
Coincidentally, I was dwelling on change the other day but from a different angle. The light bulb in my closet went out that morning. That same day at work my monthly radiation-exposure badge had to be replaced for the following month, which involves tedious paper work. So, similar to your point about disruption, I drifted into philosophical reflection. Life always seems to be in flux. Whether it's trifle matters like those mentioned above or serious issues such as one's health. Subsequently, I weighed profoundly -- with a sense of urgency and satisfaction -- the things that are not permanent which by my own volition and exertion I can keep changeless. Take marriage for example: How many have thrown it away and caused a major storm in their lives, during the breakup and ensuing days, months and even years after. The aftermath -- I yell with forceful passion ! -- is destructive for the world. Take Church attendance as another: How many souls have been lost in the secular sea of the world looking for change from the commitment to the Lord's Day worship. Take evening dinner with your wife as yet another: How many neglect such warm intimate time with the wife of one's youth for mindless T.V. entertainment. Yes, the list goes on, my dear brother. We discard so many beautiful elements of love for the sake of change. Our restless souls no longer pursue the circumstances under our control that transform into treasures if heart and soul are put to the task of building permanence -- a tall order for some due to the enormity of the self; yet, a worthy endeavor if selflessness and a little deeper thought about what is really important governs the heart.
ReplyDeleteOscar my friend you are right. And Solomon said best, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."
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