So I was thinking the other day about what life looks like. We often look at everyone else’s life and we base what we think it is like, with so little information or real insight. Most of the very things that haunt us as blemishes in our own life are hid very well by others. When someone reveals their secrets, vulnerabilities, or flaws we gasp, are shocked, judge, or admire. But we never expect it. Often don’t see it coming. Or have already found the people “less than” because of something. Somewhere we get lost in the illusion that anyone has it going perfectly. Or everyone is messed up. But that it is obvious.
I have met people, know people, who feel their lives are pretty perfect. But what I have found is that their lives are typically just as messy as mine. It is just their frame of mind, their perspective, that is perfect. Even then they will tell you that really they have great moments of weakness. There are tears and worries, just like us. But for the most part their thankfulness and recognition of the blessings outweighs the worry and recognition of the trials. The other group has the people that think their life is trash, over, and have given up. They have lost hope and everyone knows it. Some of us fall in between those groups. But our view, and others, are always skewed by what we see.
I don’t want a life that looks perfect to anyone. But I want to see my life as a life not wasted. Where growth is present, love abounds, and forgiveness is always present.
I want my children to learn this by my example.
I may not understand the lessons, the hardships, the trials, but I hope that I can grow and shine with the realization that understanding isn’t necessary, but faith and hope is.
An example of this was my recent mental inventory of the things we have actually gotten new. Not used, not from a thrift store, but store bought new. Very little have we purchased new, in years. And the things we had seemed to develop a problem or defect within a year of buying it. Usually right after the warranty was up. The fridge has dysfunctional water dispensing. The microwave button began to stick before we had cooked a whole meal. The big flat tv has a hairline black area on the screen and a mind of it’s own when streaming things. The computer is, well, just a computer with all the quirks of technology and the bugs that come along with it.
Yet, the used stuff, I don’t even think of that. I think of the great deal, the remarkable repair or restoration made of it, or the usefulness. Appreciated without the expected warranty period or expectation of working perfectly. Of course we expect less because we pay less. Right? Perceived expectations based on a false sense of worth. Not on what it’s function is intended to be as much as what the new state of the item is to begin with and how long it can stay that way. And we all know that things are not made like the use to be. Cheaper made, more costly the price.
But I realize that we do that with stuff and people. And I also realize that I am so thankful that God doesn't do that with us. That he didn't look at us and feel we deserved less because we could not pay, did not live up to, or did not come new with a warranty. He saw that we were imperfect, sinners that didn't have a way of our own, and gave his Perfect Son as a sacrifice for us to have a relationship with Him and have salvation. Humanity first chose that false perspective, over God, a long time ago. But thankfully he sees things a little more clearly and deeply than we do.
It may not sound very flattering to some. Who still highly value the new. But I think of myself as a flea market treasure that God saw potential in and decided that he wanted me for what I was, with all my flaws, and paid a new price for me anyway. I want to have a God’s eye perspective on the potential and I would be surprised if I was the only one.
Just something to ponder.
Romans 5:1-6
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
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