Holding Tight

I remember speaking with my father three or four months ago and I remember him saying, “I never knew life would be so hard”.  That really struck me.  We are all so fragile.  When I was young, I was very optimistic about life and how great it would be.  I was going to play for the Celtics, marry the woman of my dreams, and do great things for God in the process of changing the world.  As I grow older, I find life just plain hard.  There is joy, but a lot of loss, sadness and pain needs to be fought through to find it.

“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them’… Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12: 2, 13-14).

As I look back at the last 8 years of my life, they’ve each been incredibly challenging in their own way.  There’s been a lot of good times, but each year has seemed to be full of trials and obstacles.  I feel like I’m overdue for an easy year.  It’s difficult not knowing what is in store for the future.  Each year seems to bring more duties and responsibilities, more sorrows, and less pleasure.  Life could get dramatically easier, dramatically harder, or stay pretty much the same.  The Father holds tomorrow in His hands.

Have faith like a child.  Fear God and keep his commandments.    Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.  Dear God, help me to trust in your sovereignty and love for me, help me to fear you and keep your commandments, and help me to find joy in the midst of the hardness of life.

Category: Musings