The Dance

You cannot travel two roads and be one traveler.  I sometimes wonder what would have been had I made different turns here or there in my journey.  For me, this is purely an interesting mental exercise since I believe that any change would affect the whole and that God works all things together for good - yours and mine.  The only life I really know is the one I have lived, and I am happy with it. Still, I sometimes reflect on the joys and remember the pain.

Jesus said it is impossible for us to escape being hurt in the struggle for life.  Everything around and within us is fallen. There are thorns and briars everywhere.  Wild beasts lurk in the shadows and at every bend in the road. Even when we are doing well, evil is present with us.  In our flesh dwells no good thing. That there is within each of us a wistful longing to escape the unavoidable pain of living is no surprise.  So, we wonder “what if?”

Many, if not most, animals are “fight or flight.”  Size up the enemy, and, if you can’t win the battle, run away.  As those created in God’s image, however, most people find, at some point, the need to last through painful experiences.  We cannot live worthy lives while seeking easy paths. Those thoroughfares are jammed anyway. Besides, aren’t we missing something if we never put ourselves at risk or confront difficult tasks?

A man who has experienced several lasting athletic injuries once told me people ask him if he is sorry he played sports.  He said, “I don’t regret a thing. I gained a lot of things by playing sports.” He could have missed the pain of injury, but he would have missed the joy of competition, as well.  The same is true in all our lives. We must compete with risk and verve to be in a position to win the game, but playing means we might lose.

Don’t let your desire for safety keep you from sailing.  There are worthwhile battles which should be fought regardless of whether they can be won.  Eternity is the ultimate judge of the deeds of our present lives. Don’t die with your music in you.  Sing at the top of your lungs and dance like no one’s looking. Be a vibrant Christian, not a wallflower.  You may occasionally wonder what might have been but don’t regret what is. That would be a shame.

Sterl