“Whoever loves much, performs much, and
can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.”
—
Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890)
“It’s your place in the world; it’s
your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to
live.”
—
Mae Jemison
What is life when
all’s said and done,
Is it a test, a
performance, a thing to be won?
Determine what it’s
to be, decide, and be wise,
And then by God’s power, we’re given grace to
rise.
***
At our most frustrated times, when we are
angry with our world, with goals blocked at every turn, at the negation of
God’s call on our lives, yet somehow the test is to sustain the present
frustrated turn – for the trying moment – we are blessed to do the latter.
Patience.
When we are frustrated we are more likely to
ask searching questions of ourselves regarding the meaning of life. We wonder
what we could be missing. Why are others happy? Why does happiness seem so
elusive just now?
Is there anything worse than living in a
disempowered state? That’s frustration.
Somehow we feel even more frustrated to know
– at some level – that the world is our oyster. How can such an enticing truth
be right before our eyes, yet so far away from our reach?
Do What You Love Or Do What You
Can Love
To really gain the abundant life – the Jesus
life – where we serve rather than be served – surely we have to find something
we love to do.
We are more than we do, but what we do is
meaningful for who we are. If we cannot do what we love to do, surely an appropriate
and acceptable alternative is to do that which we can love. It’s nearly as good. It’s the viable way.
But coming back to our true selves – the
person we have determined ourselves to be – is truly the meaning of life.
Having discerned who we are, from what we have become (and who we are
becoming), we must also discern who we are in God, and who God has shaped us to
be.
The shape God has made us is intrinsic to
every human being. They can neither negate it, nor despise it; it’s them!
Honouring this shape is the way of the solemnity of integrity.
It’s the best way to do ourselves a favour –
simply abide to who we know God is calling us to be.
***
What is life? It’s a thing to be given away
by a you-shaped love.
We need love and we need a love – something for which to spend our entire lives
for. Love is the basis for every happiness; we must love our lives and every
contribution we can make.
Understand that what is done in love is done
well. Everything works well for the person in love with their lives for what
glory they may freely give to the Lord
their God.
© 2013 S. J. Wickham.
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