It is fair to say that as a group of people, humans that is, that we want
it all, and we want it right now. When I was young I always wanted to be 12,
then when I got there found out I had to pay adult prices at the movies, what a
rip. I couldn’t wait to get out of high school, but then had to make decisions
on my own without school telling me when, where, why and how to be. Then it was
starting a career, making money, then more money, then retiring on a
disability. For 63 years I was in a rush, and with less days ahead than lay
behind, I want to slow down. But it seems the world is getting even faster,
why does time fly as I get older, I can deal with it while having fun, but why
when older?
I was excited to have sons, and couldn’t wait to ride motorcycles with
them, to see them grow up. Now they are grown up, and I am about to be a
grandfather, yet I still see them as younger sons, needing me. Why did they
grow up so fast? I got what I wanted, but did I? Was I so much in a hurry that
I missed out on the days I had in anticipation of tomorrow? I have been so
blessed by God with a family, friends, and Jesus, not particularly in that
order, but yet something inside cries out for more. And today raising a new 13
week, 30 pound American Bulldog puppy, I am again learning patience, hoping she
grows out of her puppy hood soon, but not so soon she gets old. We had Clemenza
for 12 years, we thought she would last forever, forever changed. And now with
only my mother left between Theresa and I, we are the old ones. It happened so
soon, so suddenly, that we never saw it coming. But it is here now, so I make a
vow to try to enjoy every day with what I have, looking forward to the future,
but enjoying today too, with all its problems, but also with all its blessings.
Dear Lord, I need you more than ever!
We are called the human race, and scripture tells us to run the race to
win. We see it as a sprint, but really it is an endurance race. While a drag
race may be over in a matter of seconds, and at high speed with high thrills,
the Baja 1000 takes hours, with some boring sections mixed in with the technical
stuff. We think we are not making progress, we cannot see where we are, until
we compare it to other competitors, than either step it up, or continue at the
pace we are running. Going less slow is how they describe it, for some sections
are fast. Some are slow. The winners know how to make the best time in the
section without crashing, a lesson we need to apply to life. For like in
racing, to finish first, you must first finish. Ask Robbie Gordon, who ran out
of gas 5 laps away from winning the Indy 500. I have seen racers lead the whole
race, then fade at the end, exhausted. Some lives are like that, sadder still
is when a Christian life is like that. We are supposed to know better, at least
we say we do. But do we?
How many wait all year for vacation, then hurry and rush through it? We
wait all week for the weekend, then rush through it. We enjoy the anticipation
more than the event itself many times, forgetting we need to endure to the end,
and enjoy the time we are in right now. Sometimes we just need to stop and ask
“where is Jesus in this activity?” And then listen to his answer. We have
learned to be flexible in our touring, but yet cannot in life. Yet everyday we
need to bend, not break and choose Jesus over our plans. How many good times
were missed by our stubbornness, or good times had because we were flexible?
Maybe the adjustments we make tell us more about ourselves than we need to
know.
Yet scripture tells us patience produces salvation, God is patient with us,
are we patient with ourselves? Or is tomorrow more important than today? Maybe
the example of having children says it best. Fro 9 months we can plan, save,
rearrange, and get ready. Yet when the baby arrives, we feel so inadequate.
They cry, wet themselves, demand all our time, and wear us out. But somehow it
is all worth it when they smile. Maybe that explains how God sees us, children
who cry and complain, yet when we call him Dad, his heart melts. He knows the
hard times are all worth it then. Do we? Maybe a day of going less slow is
what we need. To rest and enjoy. God does, so should we. He looked at his
creation and took great joy over what he had created, even knowing what was to
come he rested. We don’t know and don’t rest. So take the time today and seek
God, follow the spirit. Rest a moment. If time still seems to be flying, let
it. It isn’t getting any faster, maybe you are getting slower.
Let the young ones do their time, we have. Sit back and enjoy what you
have with who you have. And when you have Jesus you have it all. He only made
it to 33 yet lives on eternity, what’s your rush?
Or you can look back and say “if I knew I was going to live so long I would
have taken better care of myself.”
love with compassion,
Mike
matthrw25biker.blogspot.com
