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Staying loose in this life is more critical than it may appear without prolonged
reflection. We have our version of what's down the line, based upon our scant
knowledge of current and past events, circumstances, and a healthy dose of personal
preference, and God has HIS plans for our future. We all have a dream, and eventually we get a shot at it. The parameters of answered dream may be different from what we imagined, but a chance comes along to go for the brass ring. So you make some cautious plans, maneuver some assets, make a committment, and out of the blue God sends a thunderbolt that throws a wrench in the works. So there you sit, plans in a shambles, facing the prospect of rethinking your scheme, based on the new situation.... At that moment, or sometime during your deliberations, a fork in the road invariably appears...struggle to attain a goal that has been put in question, or abandon your plans and adopt the attitude that where God leads, you follow. In my case, which has prompted me to address these issues, my future plans have not necessarily been hindered, but complications have arisen which casts doubt on them. It may even be better if your plans are completely obliterated, because in my condition I have one foot in the possible future, and one firmly planted in the moment. My conclusion is that once God has given you a promotion, a blessing, He may test our capacity by endangering it. Either way, testing it or placing it beyond your immediate grasp, the challenge to the spiritual life is to remain fluid, completely flexible, with the resolve that whatever comes along, you receive it as from the Lord and maintain genuine humility, which can be measured in peace of mind and gratitude. The perspective we can't afford to lose, ever, is that we are here at God's pleasure, and He sustains us here to accomplish His will. So far as we remain faithful to learn doctrine every day and strive to apply what we learn to our lives, we will remain in His Plan, on board the juggeranut. He knows what will make us happy, even if we do not, and ALL He does is in love. We have several examples of strong willed believers running off and doing stupid things because when they reached the fork, the turned down the wrong road. Paul going to Jerusalem is one example. Moses striking the rock is a second. Unlike myself, they were magnificent Christians, yet they fell prey to an emotional binge and arrogant intrasigence. Their failures serve to warn of of a similar mistake before we fall into it. It isn't enough to do the right thing, but doing it with a humble, motivated attitude. |