“Let each one remain in that situation in life in which he was called. … In whatever situation someone was called, brothers and sisters, let him remain in it with God.”
1 Corinthians 7.20, 24
Paul addressed the human tendency to want to be somewhere else, to be somebody else. Sin of course must be abandoned, but with God any life situation provides meaning and fulfillment.
What do you find unpleasant about your life situation? How can God bring redemption and joy in it?
“My days are coming to an end,
and I am withered like grass.”
Psalm 102.11
This psalm is “the prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the Lord” (superscript). He appeals to the Lord who rules forever, v. 12, and whose “years do not come to an end” v. 27.
The rigors and strains of life take their toll, as well as suffering for the faith. How do saints remain encouraged and strong in the Lord?
“For everything there is an appointed time,
and an appropriate time for every activity on earth:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted;”
Ecclesiastes 3.1-2
Solomon apparently believed there is a fixed order of events determined by God. Humans are not independent of God. Just as he set the heavenly lights to determine seasons and years, so he determines the times for human activities.
If there is an appointed time to die, and that appointed time is not known to us, then now is the appropriate time to prepare for the moment of death.
The Scripture teaches that Jesus gave up His life for us individually. That is, He gave up His life for all those who love the Lord and call on His name (John 3:16; Acts 2:21). Paul wrote to those of Galatia, “who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4, ESV). Reflect on this for a moment: Jesus gave up His life, that we might have life. We should respect this gift of life given to us in such a way that our lives are changed, changed in the direction of holiness. “…but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16, ESV). RT
Phases of life are as natural as phases of the moon.
Each phase of life is meant to be used to prepare us for the next (1 Corinthians 13:11, Ecclesiastes 11:7-10; 12).
A good tip for parents is to keep in mind what life was like for us during the phase that our children are currently in. The same could apply for grand-parents and grand-children.
At this point in time, I remember clearly what it was like to start kindergarten, and to spend time with my parents, grand-parents and great-grand-parents. I keep this mind when it comes to my child. I remember the memories that I want to create for her – memories that will be beneficial for as she goes through the different phases of her life.
Life is different through the perspective of a child. Backyards are huge! Bills are incomprehensible. The necessity of learning is something that mom and dad emphasize. The toy-isle is a slice of paradise. Slides, swings, wading in a creek, walking in the woods and watching cartoons stick with you for a long time. Each learning experience (and memory) allows a different experience (and memory) to be built.
It is easy to forget about the way others go through phases in life … especially a child. But remembering the importance of these phases will help to govern the way we deal with others as we go through our own.
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NKJV)
“Jesus replied, ‘If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.'”
John 4.10 NLT
Jesus turns the attention of the Samaritan woman to spiritual realities and benefits.
In what ways do we fail to recognize the gift that God has for us?