http://www.fridaythoughts.com/2009/01/dont-wish-your-life-away.html
I’m sure you have encountered the Serenity Prayer, thought to be penned by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the 1930’s.
“God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.”
While not itself scripture, this prayer reveals an insight into a certain human temptation to waste energy on the wrong priorities.
There is a particular version of this that Mom and I have actually struggled with in different forms over the years, and it seems useful to call it out to you as you are still early in your adventure of the thing we call life. The form I am thinking of often rears its head in the thought “I can’t wait until _________.” Fill in the blank of that thing you are currently “waiting for” that you imagine (even if subconsciously) will supply the magic ingredient missing from your current situation—that thing which, if only you had it, would supposedly complete your serenity and contentment in life.
You already know the punch line here—once you obtain that next thing, the contentment you thought it would provide is not there, and quickly you will fill the blank in with yet the next thing you think you need. These things take all kinds of forms. As I look back over my life, I can easily remember lots of versions of this (sometimes expressed by me, sometimes expressed by Mom): I can’t wait to get married. I can’t wait to have kids. I can’t wait to get my first real job. I can’t wait until the kids can take their own baths. I can’t wait until we have a house. I can’t wait until the house is painted. I can’t wait until we can finish the basement. I can’t wait until next year when the kids have better/different teachers. I can’t wait until we can afford two cars. I can’t wait until I make partner. I can’t wait until my school loans are paid off. I can’t wait until winter is over. I can’t wait until I’m experienced at this new job. I can’t wait until the kids are all in school. I can’t wait until the kids are all married. I can’t wait until I can retire.
On and on it goes. And, of course, as long as you have the mindset that you can’t be content now, eventually it ends with “I can’t wait until this life is over and I’m in heaven.” There. An entire life wished away.
Paul said “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:11-13) He wrote this while in prison. He didn’t say “I can’t wait to get out of prison so I can resume my ministry.” Wherever he found himself, he found contentment in God there, and sought out the answer to the question: “Well, here I am. What does God want me to do here, now?”
So be careful to not wish your life away. Things will never be perfect. Wherever you are, try to answer the question of what does God want me to do here, now.
Note that this does NOT mean being fatalistic about your current situation and shying from having the “courage to change the things that should be changed.” And this should not be used as a cop-out from doing the hard things you know you should do. Paul did lots of hard things. But he was as content in hard times as in “good” times.
If you say, yes I agree with all that, but am struggling with how to experience that contentment Paul talks about, well, that’s beyond this Friday Thought. But John Ortberg gave an awesome message about this last week (Jan. 18, 2009). I would commend it to you, and you can find it here.
Thanks to Mom for the seed for this one (as is often the case!).
Savor. Don’t chomp.
Hope you had a great weekend.
Love
Dad
