Balancing Act
Life is a Balancing Act.
This is the second installment of my letter to my college bound granddaughter. I always say I’m trying to get my act together, and I do try. Maybe someday it will happen – if I can figure out what my act is supposed to look like.
But life isn’t some stage play where everything is plotted ahead of time, where everything turns out happily-ever-after. As a believer, our happiness and true contentment is following God’s ways as closely as possible.
In the meantime …
Life is a balancing act of learning from our mistakes but also putting the blunders, failures, fiascoes, and the disastrous memories of youthful stupidities behind us. Easier said than done.
I have always struggled as I remember every stupid and wrong thing I ever did. Well, maybe not everything. My memory bank isn’t that big!
I heard a sermon recently by Robert Morris who spoke on God healing our minds. He encouraged listeners to give negative memories to the Father then choose to forget them forever. The balancing act here is remembering the lessons learned without dwelling on the negative feelings caused by self-disparaging memories.
Some things I cannot redo. I can’t take words back. Most times what I did to another in unkindness cannot be erased. There are times when I have been plagued for years as I remembered an unkind action. Though I asked God to forgive me, somewhere along the way, I forgot (refused) to believe God’s promises that He removes my sin as far as the east is from the west.
One particular memory from high school troubled me for years. The self-loathing, embarrassment, and depression caused by my perception of that incident was removed as I found out the truth. I had been forgiven years ago by God and that person who didn’t even remember the incident! Asking God’s forgiveness is always necessary. Trying to make things right with another person is usually freeing. But balance that with the truth of the situation and don’t take undue blame on yourself.
See how hard life is?
Feelings of remorse for things done in our past isn’t unique or new. In Psalm 25:7, David prayed, “Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.” NKJV
The Living Bible puts it this way. “Overlook my youthful sins, O Lord! Look at me instead through eyes of mercy and forgiveness, through eyes of everlasting love and kindness.”
The Bible encourages young and old. “So be careful how you act; these are difficult (evil) days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to.” Ephesians 5:15, 16 TLB
In Paul’s letter to young Timothy, he gave great advice. I’ll list a few of the things he wrote to encourage the young man. Make your purpose in life to please God. Trust God. Stir up the strength and boldness in you for the Holy Spirit does not want you to be afraid of people. Be wise and strong. Love people and enjoy being with them. Hold tightly to the Truth, especially concerning the faith and love Christ Jesus offers you. Guard your God-given abilities and treasure the Holy Spirit who lives in You.
Like Paul prayed for his young friend, I pray for you that God will shower you with His kindness, mercy, peace, and His richest blessings.
Love you, baby girl.
Grammie
