As I look back from past the mid-century mark of my life, I marvel at my own foolishness in my younger years. And I try to choose my words carefully as I talk with those lacking the tenure that I have in life's firing kiln.
To my disappointment, I'm often silenced by frustration as I realize that the words often to do not exist to impart wisdom. All that can be given is knowledge gained. Pearls to swine? Perhaps. But sometimes it is the giving of those pearls that reveals the nature of the recipient.
To my disappointment, I'm often silenced by frustration as I realize that the words often to do not exist to impart wisdom. All that can be given is knowledge gained. Pearls to swine? Perhaps. But sometimes it is the giving of those pearls that reveals the nature of the recipient.
And so, if anyone has endured my musings long enough to get to this paragraph, I have another pearl to toss...
You've heard many times of the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you." (Matt 7:12) I would suggest that this is not a rule, but a secret. I would even go as far as to call it a key, a concept so powerful that it unlocks doors to passageways we never knew existed.
It's turning moves tumblers that in turn, set into motion a chain of events through which God does amazing things - things that cannot be planned, for which no strategy exists. Things that inspire slack-jawed wonder and joyous praise to Him who does exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask or imagine, which in turn must bring joy to the heart of the Father who so desperately loves his children.
The secret is this: the rule is not a rule, but an explanation of how life works.
On the surface level, the secret is somewhat the same as the worldly saying "What goes around, comes around." Some call it karma. However the concept is referred to, it is almost universally recognized that you get what you give, eventually.
Some would argue that this is not always true, and that they personally have experienced that lack of return on their investment. Unfortunately, for those who are "of this world", I have no pearls.
For the "rule" may not apply without exception to those who are not children of God. We who are heirs are not bound by this world's reality. The Word overrules all.
The reality of that makes my brain hurt sometimes.
So, for us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our savior and have given ourselves in His service, the principle is more complex. It becomes more about motivation.
When we do for others out of a desire to love, to serve, to show God's mercy, to be Jesus - then we can be assured that the investment will be returned. Because it's not about us.
When you get down to the very bottom of it all, as far as I know at this point in my life, the truth of it is that when you live your life focusing on doing and being for the good of others, the things that enable you to continue, that bring joy and true contentment and satisfaction will be given back to you. And the things that breed selfishness and self-focus will not.
For God is Love. 1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not love, does not know God, for God is love." We are never more transformed, never more of HIM than when we love.
Some would shake their heads at this point and turn away disappointed. I understand. It took me a lifetime to really get here, and I still get it wrong... a lot. I get distracted by things and life and just by being human.
But when I see the face of someone light up because I've helped them or done for them, when I am enveloped in a hug, or just been rewarded with a smile from someone whose is thankful for what I was able to do, my heart is full of joy that cannot be purchased with anything but the giving of love. Joy that miraculously becomes more love.
And when I am hurt, or empty, I go to the Father in prayer and in His Word, and fill up.
I grieve at the years I waste chasing the things of this world, realizing that I just need the time and life experience necessary to develop these pearls. Perhaps pearls can only be developed within each individual oyster, and cannot be given. Maybe that's what this life is for.
That makes my brain hurt too.
What I know is this: When I apply this secret, this golden key and make my everyday focus about being and doing for those whom God puts in my path, I feel... right. I feel like I'm doing what I was made to do. And even though some days I am joyful and other days I am frustrated or hurt, I have the ability to keep doing it because I know somewhere deep inside that's why I'm here.
So it really doesn't matter what degree I hold or what career path I choose. It doesn't matter what I drive or where I live. It doesn't matter if I'm bold or shy, graceful or clumsy, skilled in anyway or not. Am I reaching out in love, in serving? That's what it's all about.
And that is all that matters.
The key is this: When you love, LOVE returns to you. When you give joy, JOY returns to you. When it's all about you, you are empty.
And that pearl... well it's not fully developed yet for me. Sometimes I get it, and sometimes I don't. But He is faithful to keep giving me the life experience to harden that pearl, to make a diamond of this coal. Praise God.
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