I read the poem below on a Dayspring email today; I guess I needed this. I just needed something – actually, virtually anything – to lift my spirits. So, this would do. Along with the little piece someone sent me a couple of days before that – the one about a silver smith purifying molten silver. When I read that piece and Theresa suggested it was what God sent me for my present emotional state, I brushed it off saying I got these pieces (mushy gee-wasn’t-that-beautiful sort) all the time, so this one could hardly be seen as a “special delivery” from God. She reminded me of the story about a guy stuck on the roof of his house during a flood and dismissing the various means to escape, saying God promised to deliver him. Of course I thought that didn’t apply and there was no parallel here to be drawn. For one, the short essays and poems I get aren’t exactly vessels clearly identifying my means of escape – they are more like messages to say – hang onto the roof, look at the bright side of it all. They are not direct solutions or direct messages – they are broad, general comfy one. Sort of like one-size fits all. Sort of like someone being healed of a backache in a church healing ministry. It is either so vague or so general that you cant say it didn’t happen, but neither does it hit you with a thunderbolt, unless you are the sort to see thunderbolts in a matchstick.
The modern society we live in doesn’t give us much time – we want answers 2 seconds after a question is asked. The silver making piece and the poem below use words to suggest the process is considerably slower. And it isn’t just a question of time either. Apart from immediacy, these modern times also demand a sound and light show to accompany every answer. Am I a victim of the times in terms of wanting answers from God? When younger, one of my favourite church songs was “In His Time”. Easier sang than lived, as always. He may make all things beautiful in His time but you grow white hair in the meantime.
Rick Warren – he of the Purpose Driven Life fame – says the purpose of life is to prepare for eternity. The irony is, I spend 8 hours a day at work, about 1.5 hours traveling to and from work, about half an hour getting ready for work and about half an hour to unwind from work when I get home (about the time I take to knock back a couple of beers). That’s 10 hours set aside for work, and I’m a lucky one, who works 8 hours a day. These days, one can easily work 10 hours. Many work considerably more. So, conservatively, one sets aside 10 hours a day for work and work-related activities. One should get about 7 hours sleep, so that leaves 7 hours – to do stuff like cook, clean and eat. From experience (now that I cook and clean everyday), such activities can take anything up to 2-3 hours per day. That leaves just 4 hours – spend an hour with the kid, spend an hour working out and that leaves you 2 hours. I spend 30-40 minutes with God. Say even if you spend the full 2 hours that you have left with God, that’s less than 10%. If Rick Warren is right (and he has to be) we spend only 10% of our time working on our purpose of life. I don’t know – we spend so much time on stuff which has little to do with the purpose of our being.
I know the ideas above all sound a bit disjointed – my thoughts are, for now. I have a sense that some of these matters are relevant to put everything in place and my life finds some meaning and satisfaction again. For now though, I just think I need to give it time.
Landscape
By Roy Lessin,
Co-founder DaySpring Cards
Your life’s like a landscape and God has the brush.
The work is in progress, He’s not in a rush.
Each stroke has a purpose, nothing’s by chance.
To see all His wisdom takes more than a glance.
Notice the sunbeams that shine on the dew —
Even the clouds can’t keep them from view.
Look at the pathway that turns at the hill —
Its course will reveal what’s next in His will.
The stream that’s flowing with water so blue
Is bringing down blessings meant just for you.
The trees that are planted close to the stream
Will bring forth more fruit than you’ve ever seen.
The bird in the nest with mouth opened wide
Is just a reminder that God will provide.
Now look at the sheep in the meadow that’s near
And notice the Shepherd that keeps them from fear.
He’s brought them to pastures which give forth the best,
That cool and refresh, and keep them in rest.
The eagle above, that soars o’er the gale
Is God’s way of saying, "My strength will not fail."
That part of the painting which now seems unclear
Will take on new meaning with each passing year.
So trust God to work in His own perfect way
And rejoice in the beauty He’s painting today.
And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. Philippians 1:6 NLT
Ante 