If it is really a truth, it can be
found anywhere. The Scripture says, “Whatever things are true...if
anything worthy of praise...let your mind dwell on these things”
(Phil. 4:8). Sometimes I find it in unexpected places. I came across
a truth on the last corner of the cover of my college alumni
magazine. A young professional, a graduate of the college, wrote,
“I
think of my life as a very small plot of land that's been given to
me, that I didn't make, and I can't sustain by myself. I want this
little plot to reflect God's glory, and so long as I can accomplish
this [through her God-given gift and academic training in the arts]
I'll continue to explore it thoughtfully and share the experience
with others.”
Good stuff! A worthy analogy. I want
to explore its application to my own life—perhaps the reader can
find it has meaning for himself/herself as well. It fits into the
theme of my recent blog posts. What difference does my life make
anyway? Is my “footprint” of any significance?
What have I been doing with that
“little plot of land” that is my life? For sure my life and my
circumstances were given to me by the Lord. They are not of my own
making, and I can't till the ground by myself; I need the help of
others. Am I neglecting to plow and plant my life-plot just because
it's little and so leave the ground unplowed? Perhaps it is larger than I know! God expects me to bloom
where He planted me; He chose the location and my orbit of influence.
He has given me the “tools” to make it fruitful.
Is my little plot reflecting God's
glory? Am I sharing the fruits of my spiritual experience with others
to draw them to God? Or have I looked down on my gift and my scant
opportunities and buried them in the ground like the one talent
hidden in a napkin in Jesus' parable?
Cultivation takes planning and work
and time. Weeds grow rapidly by themselves, but crops must be
patiently sown and cared for.
I admit that I don't have trouble with the planning. It tends to be
my strong point. I'm good at setting goals long term and short term,
aiming for deadlines, charting my course full steam ahead. But I
realize people are different and not everyone does that. Some just
let life happen and then they respond to it. My strong point may also
be my weak point. I'm inclined to make my own plans, to map it all
out, and try to control the outcome in my time frame. I'm sort of a mover and shaker.
James
4:13-16 is my flashing red light.
“Come now, you who say,
'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a
year there and engage in business and make a profit.' Yet you do not
know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that
appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought
to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.'
But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is
evil.” James put his finger on our incredible presumption that we
know what the future holds, even short term. Only God is all-knowing.
Yes, I'm responsible for my little
plot in life. Yes, I should plan and not just merrily row, row my
boat gently down the stream. God has given us all free will; we don't
dance like puppets dangling on a His string. He has given us minds
and judgment and choice with that freedom so we can plan. “Many are
the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that
prevails” (Prov. 19:21). A man's mind plans [devises, designs] his
way but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure [establishes
them]” (16:19).
God allows me to plan and devise and
work my little plot in life in a way that seems good to me and as if
it all depended on me. At the same time I should not be so
presumptive as to take the future for granted. “If God wills” I
shall cultivate my plot in stewardship because He owns it and has
placed me here for His time frame and purpose. I happily
understand that the Lord is over all and directs my efforts in the
way that I should go!
No comments:
Post a Comment