| Saturday, 12 July 2008 |
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A really wise and respected friend once told me that there just three things
in this life that I needed to sort out early on. They were - my faith, my
lifetime partner and my finances. If these three matters were in a healthy
state, I would have fertile soil in which to grow.
I tried to make sure that all three were in good shape, but the latter two
have been all over the place, sometimes up, sometimes down! However, my
faith has been my solid foundation throughout life, and the reason why my
failure in other areas hasn't knocked me off my perch.
Maybe I should explain what is meant by faith. Most of us think of faith as
being something we believe actually exists. Yes, but there's more to it than
that. Faith is putting ones' total trust in something or someone, treating
that thing or person as our only source of security, belonging and purpose.
Let me tell you my story.
I was born when my Dad was 49 years old, with the result that he and my Mum
were at home almost all the time by the time I was 10. We had a wonderfully
close and caring family environment. I joined the Army straight out of
school, where I experienced the close companionship of fellow-soldiers, the
closeness of being in intensive training and in combat together.
It was like jumping into a cold pool when I attended a university. I was
surrounded by hundreds of students, with whom I had only the most
superficial friendships. I longed with all my heart for someone I could
relate to at a deep level, but didn't find anyone. I was utterly and
desperately lonely. I can remember walking about in the early hours, almost
in tears, praying to a God I didn't know, asking for someone to love and to
be loved by.
Eventually I met a friend who I had something in common with, and I enjoyed
her company. One evening she suggested that we pray together, and I said
that was OK. She prayed, and I was bowled over by her prayer. She wasn't
speaking the formal, stilted type of prayer that I had become used to in the
church I attended now and again. She simply talked with her Father, the way
anyone would talk to a good friend.
That's when I knew that God was a person. Not a Force, not an impersonal,
uninvolved Being, but someone with feelings, someone capable of immense and
unconditional love for me.
My friend shared with me how I could receive the gift of abundant, eternal
life, and I responded by simply receiving what was being offered.
Did that make any difference in my life?
For the last few years I have been working in an old age home, where I care
for a number of older folks. Recently I took a good hard look at myself, and
realised that I had developed a deep love for them. It didn't matter how
they looked, behaved or reacted to me. That's when I realised that God had
made me capable of loving others with the same incredible love with which He
has loved me.
I have also had the opportunity of questioning my values. These old folks
couldn't care less about how wealthy I am, how fat or thin or good-looking I
am, what my status is in the community, or how healthy or old I am. All they
want to know from me or anyone else who visits them is this: Am I a kind
person, and will I stick around for a while, show some sort of commitment to
them? That's all. Pretty good value system, this - one I can sure agree
to!
I can say with complete conviction that no matter what my circumstances are,
no matter what anyone thinks of me, I have total peace, absolute security,
an unshakeable relationship with my best Friend and the knowledge that He is
leading me on the road to my perfect destiny.
I have found a faith that has given me a fulfilling, abundant life. I have
put my trust in Someone who is my only source of security, belonging and
purpose.
What more could you or I possibly want? This is truly a fertile soil in
which to grow, in which to bear fruit. Fruit that is a delight to all who
partake of it. Fruit that has within it a seed that will carry this utter
joy to the next, and the next generation.
Paul
www.a-disciple.org
good.news.nz@gmail.com |
posted by The White Dove Partnership @ 02:44  |
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