We all sit here, amazed at the brevity of the year previous, looking longingly to the one that lay ahead. Every year, we are relieved, making passage through the difficult, hoping the next will be better, and for some it will, others may find it to be the hardest one yet, and for most, it will be mixed, just as the past ones, but it too will pass. My wife and I went to bed exhausted from a season and day of work, sleeping through the moment when passage of earthly time forces us to change our final entry on contracts, checks (assuming we even write them anymore), and in the corner of our computer monitors, to 2013. As I 'mature', the blur of life finds impetus not in years, but in each day. The Bible tells us not to worry about tomorrow for today has enough cares of its own. So I choose to focus more on today (not that I don't think of what is ahead, or make plans for the future) for a life is relegated to foolishness if its primary concern is tomorrow or what is ahead that may never come to be (the punchline of the Bible verse).
Truth is, all I know I have is right now. Another truth is my writing of this blog is and has been about my wrestling to find and live in absolute truth, sharing what I believe it be, not that I am right, but rather that I am honest about what one, who attempts listening and following God might think, do and share. He may speak a confirming affirmation in you heart as you read, or, as you read and disagree, you are free to take another road.
In a previous blog (No Longer Drops, Flowing Streams), I metaphorically spoke of our lives as drops of rain joining streams, hinting of becoming rivers of life to other places, and the metaphors continue bouncing around in my musings, maybe for another day. This blog's title, "Of Footprints and Faith" metaphorically links faith to passing imprints left behind and these, left in cyberspace for as long as 'the cloud' permits, will exist beyond the days and years of this ordinary man's life.
In all I do, my heart's desire is that by sharing, what I believe, a life of faith might look like, others might find attraction, not because I am better than any, nor because I think I do a better job at life and living than others, for surely there are abundant those whose lives do far better at helping others, loving and caring for others than I. Rather that I choose to try, to seek and to live, moving forward with faith and truth, finding truth as I engage in relationship with God.
I am amazed that He has led me to Bosnia for two years, seemingly leading me return again in March. This time my return venture will be joined by my lovely bride exploring use of her gifts with mine as I always feel the two of us together multiply our effectiveness, and, it seems others have felt desire to financially and prayerfully send me, and us. I am humbled having other opportunity to serve Him and those in my church as I press toward ordination, this month becoming a licensed minister in California. I am thankful for part-time employment at Lowe's given opportunity to help customers, working alongside some very nice fellow employees. I also get to work with wonderful staff as I manage the facility at a preschool, so the tools of teaching are not hindered by safety or efficiency issues. I also receive great joy from the hugs and love I get from my grandson who, for some reason, finds my love for him something he enjoys desiring to spend time with me. And I am extremely thankful to be part of an amazing family with an abundance of wonderful friends!
So I drink in all that is today, and do dream a bit about tomorrow. I make plans but don't always expect to live them out. I listen. I pray. I seek truth and desire to live a life that has meaning. This ordinary man hopes that all of us ordinary people might live extraordinary lives because we engage and amazing God compelling our lives forward with His power, His grace His love. Will you join me in the adventure of a lifetime? Can we, together change the entire complexion of our world as we open the door to see God's amazing love revealed to all? Effectual and effervescent is a life tuned and honed by God. Yes, even in the midst of difficulty and trial, always part of life but not always all of life, our ordinary lives can become extraordinary, beyond what we could become alone. That for me, is miracle enough. That this ordinary guy gets to do extraordinary stuff in ordinary circumstance with ordinary people is evidence enough that God is active and working, leading me to His place of eternal bliss. I am fortunate to have abundance here, but ah, the glory of that which awaits, soon to come. Yes, another year, should we have fortune to endure it, will pass, with another year ahead. But some day, I will find myself on the other side of life here, where the clock won't be ticking, it being just another day. The only difference? Absence of evil, pain, suffering and toil, all of that work accomplished, never to weep, hurt or be cold again. Where are you heading? How do you know? Why don't you talk with God and find out what He wants of you? While it is still 'today'.
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