A good life, one that is admired and enjoyed, is a goal for many. It is for me. So far it is turning out much more blessed and wonderful than I could have planned. Some of life just happens, you have little or nothing to say in what happens to you. Someone has said that life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you react to it. Yet that ten percent is largely out of your control. I was born in the United States of America. I had no choice in that event. I was carted about as my parents made choices in my life and included me in their journeys. Still I began exercising my “reactions to my circumstances” very early. Whether or not I was really conscious of my desires and demands, I was responding. As I grew I expressed pleasure with some things. Liking food or warmth or pretty sights were opposed to the dislike for medicine, wet diapers and scowling faces.
Many of the choices I make in life are influenced by others. My parents, siblings and even strangers had a part in forming the filters which aided in my responses to that which happened unto me. Sometimes I rejected their preferences sometimes I embraced them. If I had unpleasant recollections of a person I was more likely to turn away from what they found acceptable. This was occasionally a problem when their choice would have been a good one to follow. As I grew from a child I found the contradictions of life a good source of fuel for the rebellious fire which burned within. Although I had no clue as to whom I was rebelling against, I lashed out as though I had direction and purpose. Looking back, there appears to be little evidence to support that conclusion.
Rebellion is a powerful stick of dynamite. Once it is lit it is difficult, if not impossible, to contain. The pain and injury it causes can be devastating. Time we are told heals all wounds. Heals may be overly simplistic; covers, diminishes, even forgets would be a better understanding of what really happens. My rebellion caused me to seek approval and admiration in all the wrong places. Some things we do have lasting consequences. Even though we might like to undo them, they continue to impact us and our influences far beyond our desire. Other choices involve acceptance and even surrender. As a young man struggling to make sense of man’s inhumanity I was exposed to a clear concept of a Holy creator God whom I could not deny. Jesus, the Christ of God became my passion and my purpose in life.
It was initially amazement and adoration for someone who could love all of me in spite of me. It became a desire to share this great love with anyone who would consider the truth of it. Eventually, after years of knowing and walking within His ways, my choice became swallowed up in His. My ninety percent of reacting to the ten percent has been removed from my control. To be sure I still make the choices and suffer the consequences or rewards. But my purpose is defined by Him. My understanding of what is good and pure and right is confined to His. That which was wrong is still wrong. When I chose to do wrong I was in rebellion and needed some more circumstances, more ten percent, to come to pass so I might see the error of my way. Some are further on their path in life than I and their influences are valuable; some for good choices and some for poorer. My choices are valuable to others as well. I survived childhood joys and disappointments without much serious lasting destruction to my view of life. I survived military service without much serious lasting injury. I survived higher education without serious lasting mental aggravation. I survived my own choices of wants and needs to come to the place I am today.
In all of this, there is one anchor sunk deep into the ground which steers the course of my life’s ship. I have come to know and prove Jesus to be faithful and true by rebellion, by acceptance and finally by surrender. He alone is worthy of any praise and adoration and honor. All good which I have done is by His influence. All truth I know is by His Holy Word. All treasure which I measure is through His mercy and grace. I am deserving of none of it. I am far less than I ought to be and far more, yes much, much more than I deserve to be. Rebellion should deserve punishment, banishment and destruction. I have received liberty, a heavenly home and eternal life.
Communicating is challenging and rewarding. My elderly mother I law suffers from advanced age dementia. Repeating the same information many times in a few minutes has become common for us. It is not that we are unable to adequately communicate truth to her. The issue is the frame of reference receiving the communication. Her mind slips back in short term loops of not recalling what has just been presented. It is part of her ten percent. Yet with patience and tenderness we move from moment to moment knowing that it is not her rebellion that interferes with our relationship. On the other hand many folks of clear mind and well able to make good choices, refuse to hear and accept truth regardless of its repetition. Just as she, they deny the truth and reality of what they are told. It is, in their case, part of their ninety percent. Although they desire to be wealthy, joyful and blessed beyond human understanding, they reject the remedy for the injury that prevents them.
The good life they desire, one that is admired and enjoyed, is within their grasp. It was for me. But how it can be much more blessed and wonderful than they could ever plan evades them. Some of life just happens to them. They have little or nothing to say about what happens in this ten percent. It is largely out of their control.
The ninety percent, based upon their view, their choices, is where the stumbling block exists. There is only one influence which can overcome this barrier. He is the same who came to me in the form of a hundred believers who knew Him and were compelled by His love to communicate it to me. He is the answer to the prayers of followers who seek for others to know and love Him as well. Life is a matter of enjoying the rewards of the choices you make. Some rewards are better than others as some choices are better than others. Some choices give short term rewards and some give eternal riches and glory.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. If this is not acceptable in the book of truths you have accumulated, you should give it additional consideration. One of my favorite scriptures says that if any man knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know it. If you know and love Him who has made all by the word of His mouth, then your blessings are out of this world. If the love of Jesus for His creation and for you personally is not certain to you, then you have the reward of your choices in life. It is part of your ninety percent. Many of the choices you make in life are influenced by others. Rebellion is a powerful stick of dynamite. You have survived your own choices of wants and needs to come to the place you are today. Communicating is challenging and rewarding. The good life you desire, the one that is admired and enjoyed, is within your grasp. It is part of my ninety percent. I hope I have communicated that.