A Rock and A Hard PLace

You have heard the saying many times about being caught between a rock and a hard place. If you visualize that situation it looks very uncomfortable. I guess that is what makes the saying so meaningful. How many times have you found yourself there? I have to admit that I am going through one of those times right now. Sometimes I wish that I didn't know what I know because it costs me plenty. I also know that knowing the truth about something holds you accountable for what you have learned and in many ways calls on you to do something about it. That's where I am stuck at the moment. I am busy trying to sustain all that I have on this old earth and at the same time I am acutely aware of my need to hear from the Lord about so many things.

Retirement does not really seem to be an option for many people anymore. Retire to do what? Most folks that I know are still out there trying to earn more money to keep up with what they have. All the retirement planners are out in full force sending you invitations to their seminars to help you plan for this major event in your life.

How does the Lord view all of this that we do? Did you ever wonder? That's a dangerous question but I think that it is an important question. When you read the scriptures and in particular the Book of Proverbs you will find a lot of verses condemning a slothful life style and praising things like faithfulness and commitment. Our work is an arena that can be used to learn commitment and perseverance. I'm inclined to believe that why we work may be more important than how we work. If we really know the "why" then we can see our real motivation and we can also see what kind of fruit that we produce with that motivation.

Life is fleeting and eventually the rock and the hard place scenario shows it's ugly face when you begin to ask these questions. When you are young, you don't question things as much because you just don't have the time to ponder when the car breaks down and the kids need clothes for school. You just get it done and move on to the next project but lurking in the background of our busy lifestyle is the undiscovered truth and motivation for a better life. A life that has purpose and hope and a life that lasts beyond the time we spend in this world. Our time here is such a tiny piece of eternity.

I pray that all that read this (I also include myself), will stop and ask the better questions so that the Lord can have His way into our heart. I really believe that many of our frustrations would cease to exist if the grip that this world has upon us was removed and replaced by a real relationship with the one who created us in the first place. If that sounds way out there to many of us then that is clear evidence that we have not yet found our life in Him and that our life is still our own and that is a life that will inevitably find itself between a rock and a hard place.