Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Standing still or moving on?
Ever feel like everyone and everything around you is moving on, but you're standing still? This was the sense when I went for a holiday recently in my home country.
During this break, I appreciated the chances for renewing friendships with a number of people from the tapestry of the past: my ex-cell group leader, who has retired and is now serving the Lord full-time; a young person I used to mentor, who has now stepped into working life; friends from university and (dare I say) primary school, who are now daddies & mommies; colleagues from previous workplaces who are getting married, etc. The various meetings with them still brought that precious sense of past cameraderie, which I am thankful for. In contrast, for one old friend from Bristol - our chance meeting on the plane felt like two strangers awkwardly grasping at topics to talk about. The exchange barely made it beyond the cursory conversation warmers. It made me realise that we have to learn to enjoy the present seasons of friendships whilst it is there, and move on when it isn't (Eccl 3:1-14).
Have I been 'standing still'? Maybe I have started this question on the wrong premise. The right one should be: where was I fifteen years back and where am I now? How has God changed and used me for His purposes?
As I ponder further, I realised that I have not been standing still. I have taken a different path from some of my mates... perhaps this path feels unique, but probably isn't. Either way, I have not found another person who can share the same sense of walking along this road.
As I turn my eyes backward in time, I am heartened by the fact that in times when I was weak, God offered His hand of assurance. In times when I thought I would break, the Lord held firm. In times I was standing still, God provides a well-needed nudge. Whatever the case, I realised that in times of darkness and despair, there was always light.
I look back and I am feeling a stronger sense of wonder at the manner to which God has been faithful - the sequence of connected events, the 'coincidences' of people, places and times, and the spectrum of joys, struggles and pain encompassed within this package called life. I have come to a point in my life where I have enough (perhaps too much) to look back on, which I don't want to look back on - at least not in a way that would stop me from being complacent and standing still. I desire to move on into greater things that God has in store. I once heard this said: it is easy when one is young to look ahead because there is so much ahead, but as one progresses in life, perhaps there is more to look back on than to forward to. This statement rings true to a certain degree.
But I also realise that as long as we recognize the times that God is giving us and discern the opportunities to play our part in what matters to God's heart (and not build our own kingdoms), we can be fruitful.
Paul states in some of the final days of his life,
- And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:22-24)
Oh, back to the original question: Standing still or moving on? My answer is that it does not matter - there will be both along the way, but as long as we are continuing to progress along the path God has set for us, we are alright.
[Related post: Gazing back and marching on]
Labels: Change / Progress, Significance / Life Purpose, Spiritual Growth
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Standing still and walking on the path that God called us to follow....Aren't they producing perseverance? And character, and hope...
# posted by 
: February 23, 2006 12:34 a.m.
: February 23, 2006 12:34 a.m.
Indeed so. An athlete training for an event will develop strength, stamina and mental preseverance, but his main goal will be finishing the race and winning.
Similarly, for God's people, the character that the Holy Spirit develops in us will help us press on towards the purposes the Lord has for our lives and the ministry He entrusts us with.
As Paul says, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Php 3:14)
Similarly, for God's people, the character that the Holy Spirit develops in us will help us press on towards the purposes the Lord has for our lives and the ministry He entrusts us with.
As Paul says, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Php 3:14)
Everyday we are moving though we feel we are standing still.
# posted by : February 25, 2006 12:11 a.m.
: February 25, 2006 12:11 a.m.
JustAnotherBrotherInChrist--
Yes, you are right. Many times, we feel like we are standing still but in fact, we are 'moving' and changing in ways that we may not realise. The prayer here (at least for me) is that we move (drift?) in the same direction as where God wants us to be.
Take care-
~Sal
Yes, you are right. Many times, we feel like we are standing still but in fact, we are 'moving' and changing in ways that we may not realise. The prayer here (at least for me) is that we move (drift?) in the same direction as where God wants us to be.
Take care-
~Sal
Another feeling is that we sometimes go up and sometimes come down. We build up things then later destroy them. We worked to be content and soon found ourselves unsatisfied again. These non-stop circles blind our hearts sometimes, at least for me.
Must remind ourselves again and again that God cares the changes of our heart and mind rather than the changes of our environment, social life, and others.c
Must remind ourselves again and again that God cares the changes of our heart and mind rather than the changes of our environment, social life, and others.c
# posted by : March 02, 2006 10:48 p.m.
: March 02, 2006 10:48 p.m.
Yes, as one gets older, handling change becomes tougher as we become more set in our ways.
But hopefully, our faith in God's provision will also grow enough to counteract the fear of change.
Frank
But hopefully, our faith in God's provision will also grow enough to counteract the fear of change.
Frank
# posted by : March 07, 2006 11:37 p.m.
: March 07, 2006 11:37 p.m.Post a Comment
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