WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN 50 YEARS
I’ve learned so many lessons. I’ve loved, lost, failed, been depressed, made some good decisions and lots of bad ones. I’ve fallen short while striving to live holy. I’ve lost myself and found myself again. Through it all God has kept me and I thank Him for all of it - the good and the bad. I give Him all of the glory!
Vulnerability is Not a Choice
No matter how secure we feel we have no control over what happens to us. You can fly around the world 10 times over without incident and be killed in a car accident driving home from the airport. We hear of stories of brave service men and women who survive combat during wartime only to return home and be killed by a stray bullet. As much as we want to believe that we can control our fate, ultimately we cannot. God is in control. That vulnerability extends beyond loss of life. It is everything that happens to us. Each day that we wake and step out into the world we are utterly and completely vulnerable. Whether we make a conscious choice to love someone or not we still remain vulnerable to emotional harm as a result of our feelings. Whether we open our heart and take risks or remain closed off and are careful not to place ourselves in certain positions, we are still susceptible to emotional and physical attack or harm. It sounds terrifying, however, if you are a Christian it is simply a matter of putting your faith in God and believing His promises. Each day that the Lord allows me to wake up and see another day, I pray for the Lord to sustain and protect me, my family and friends. Whatever it is, whatever is going to happen is in the hands of a loving Savior. Over this 50 year time span I have learned to simply trust Him. That trust brings about a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Remain Authentic
Staying true to who you are is often difficult in the face of opposing views and opinions, especially when those views are presented by the people we love the most. The compromises were never my core values defined by my Christian world view. Those things remained in tact, although sometimes at great cost to my happiness. That was a cost I was willing to pay because Christ tells us that for the sake of His Gospel we will suffer as He suffered so I’m squared away there. I am speaking more about the little things that don't have much to do with our faith but that make us unique as individuals. - our style of dress, hair style, love of art, theatre, travel, music and cuisine, etc. Sometimes the dismissive loud and prevalent voice of others, over time, can cause you to let go of those simple things that bring small moments of joy. “Don’t let anyone steal your joy.” “Do you!” - I’ve given that advice myself, often. But I also understand that when a loud and pervasive opposing voice is always present, it becomes a slow and steady drip that will cause you to move away from your authentic self to the point of being unrecognizable, most of all to yourself. A slow drip will eventually wear a hole in the surface upon which it falls. Remain authentic.
Forgiveness is Paramount
There are enough books about forgiveness to fill a thousand libraries and yet the act of forgiveness can be elusive. Sometimes the offense is so great and causes such profound damage that the thought of forgiveness seems impossible. In any relationship whether romantic, friendship, familial there will be an offense. It is the offense of those closest to us that proves the most challenging to forgive. God gives us a clear cut breakdown in Matthew 6:14-15 of what will happen if we do not forgive: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” There are no conditions on this thing folks. It just is what it is. Forgive others or God will not forgive you. Have mercy. I have learned over these 50 years that forgiveness is a choice and a process. Arriving at an authentic and heartfelt place of forgiveness does not always occur overnight. It oftentimes comes with fasting and prayer, but it all begins with a choice. Upon choosing to forgive, it is God that gives us the strength and power to do so. Forgiveness is challenging at times as you may find yourself forgiving someone for an apology that you felt was due but never comes. As conflicting as forgiveness may be in our flesh, it is quite honestly is, freedom.
Protect Your Peace
Peace is defined as freedom from disturbance. Not void of disturbance, but freedom from disturbance. As long as we are breathing there will be challenges, adversity, trials and tribulation. We will experience pain and loss. The devil will try us and try to defeat us. Listen, all I can tell you is to keep John 16:23 on repeat in your heart and mind and just keep living.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:23
Love folk. Forgive them when they sin against you. Show people the same grace and mercy you wish to receive from God. Wage war, in prayer, against everything that seeks to destroy your peace. Protect it at all cost. Cherish your family, friends and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Speak life into those around you. Encourage and be kind. Trust in God and live in peace.
My 50 years of lessons can be summed up in a hymn that I can still hear my daddy singing (he always had a song of praise on his lips - just an amazing human, God rest his soul) anyway this is it:
I trust in God wherever I may be, Upon the land, or on the rolling sea,
For come what may, from day to day, My heav’nly Father watches over me.
I trust in God, I know He cares for me; On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea; Though billows roll, He keeps my soul; My heav’nly Father watches over me.
I pray that this blessed you or at the very least gave you something to consider.
If you do not know Christ as your savior He is ready and waiting to receive you.
He loves you and so do I.