Some years ago, my son purchased an iguana which he affectionately named “Iggy”. As he grew and I eventually became the only one in our family that could effectively handle the 4’ long creature, I noticed that when Iggy became stressed he would shut his eyes and seem as though asleep. When he did this, it was as though he was acknowledging that he was taking a pass for the time being of fighting the inevitable which was typically moving him in or out of his cage. He would go motionless while I picked him up and took him to where he would remain until I needed to move him again. Over the years I have contemplated this innate ability of a reptile to shut down so as to not have to scrap and fight simply by shutting his eyelids and choosing to take a pass on potential confrontation. I have often thought of how much simpler life would be if I could just shut my eyes until difficulty, trial, or challenges passed by and only then, opening them and continuing on as though nothing out of the norm had transpired. While I understand that there are huge differences in the comprehensive abilities of humans and reptiles, it is still an appealing thought to have some sort of mechanism for dealing with that which would be better left unchallenged or for others to deal with. Unfortunately, the realities of life do not provide a shut down mode and difficulties, trials, and challenges must be dealt with forthrightly and for as long as it takes. For an individual like me that prefers to avoid fear, pain, and stress to the greatest extent possible, I often find myself having to stand under the weight of burden whether mine or others without being able to close my eyes and wish it away. My only hope, my only course of action so that it does not crush me, change me, or harden my heart is to turn it over to God. If it were not for my relationship with God and my desire to follow Christ’s example, getting even would be my only recourse because after all, what would be the point of forgiveness or reconciliation? But because I have been forgiven way more than I will ever be expected to forgive, I do not have to count on shutting my eyes and expecting it all to go away. “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 I find that my prayers lately are less about the resolution of difficulty, and more about the condition of my heart through adverse circumstances. I never expect for life to be without trouble, but I do hold to the promise that God is with me and He will allow me to stand under the weight of burden. I love God, trust Him, and am grateful that He makes a way where one seems impossible. I don’t believe that I would find much peace or joy through an “every man for himself” existence. Peace to you and your family as you seek God and honor Him through what you think, say, and do.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 22:53:23 +0000
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