Here's a thought… a phrase that has become commonly used by yours truly. An opinion… no. A suggestion… not necessarily. Just a thought. Added to the conversation to either trigger ideas, motivate people to think of something else or think differently, or sometimes genuinely just a thought. Now for my thoughts, or more like spiritual banter with a positive spin… keep reading 🙂
Thought #1: Life will never be easy and simple. I know, I know. You're probably amazed that I just figured this out, but let me explain. I realize more and more that life is not meant to be. Easy and simple, that is. Not just that it won't, but that God doesn't want it this way. It wasn't for Jesus, and if I love the people He loved and I get in the mess of people's lives as He did, it won't be easy or simple for me either. I could choose the easy way… not love people. Hold grudges. Don't forgive. Complain. And make my life about myself. But the truth of the matter is that Jesus sought out the difficult people and He loved just as much the difficult people that sought Him out. I feel like this is becoming my reality. It actually has been my reality for a long time but without this perspective.
Here's a thought… it will never change. I have 50, 60, maybe 70 years left on this earth until I go to the home that Jesus has gone before me to prepare… and it will not get any easier. Life lived with people will always be difficult. A fallen world. Sin. Separation from the home I'm made for… the difficulties will not cease. So here's another thought… stay close to God through them.
Thought #2: Deal with things as they come. I am very focused on the race – living for each day and focusing on the people here (my team, my squad of racers as a whole, and the people I work with in each country and ministry). Seeing God and the Spirit at work. So when I receive hard news or distracting information while out on the field, I battle between putting it off and dealing with it when I get home in four months or putting it out of my mind because they're not situations that help me focus on things that are “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy” (Phil. 4:8) and only distract me from what I'm doing here on the race or what I really want to be thinking about. (Mind you, I spin the meaning of this verse to suit myself in these moments so this perspective doesn't last long.) So this feels like a dilemma… If I don't address things and people now, as they come, it will only be more to deal with when I return home, and I’m already having a hard time thinking about returning to life after the race where no one will understand what I’ve lived. But at the same time, I'm trying to be here, focus on here, and not let information, changes, or news of home get to me.
Here's a thought… the race is only a season and I'll be back to life as usual in about four months. So I need to address all issues presented before me as they arise, no matter how many miles away they are. Even if it’s just with prayer.
Thought #3: The richness of understanding God (as complete as we can) can only truly be had in the body of Christ. As I've been reading through Colossians for a while now, I keep going to
Col. 2:2-4, “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God… so that no one may deceive you by fine sounding arguments.” The richness of understanding God can only truly be had in the body of Christ. No one can have this fullness, full understanding, without the body. Isolation. Withdrawing. Separation. Will never produce full riches or complete understanding. Interesting that the writer Paul uses these two adverbs. Full and complete. Apart from community and wisdom of the body of believers, people can grow and still be close to God. But in order to truly not be deceived in this world either by the enemy or by others' fine words, logic, ease, or preference, everyone needs to be in the fullness and completeness that only comes from being a part of the body – growing, confessing, admonishing, and teaching with all wisdom (Col. 1:28).
Here's a thought…be a part of the body of Christ.
