WELL-PROPORTIONED LIFE July 23, 2020

This is a really long day, in spite of me waking up late and sleeping through the first session of the birthday serenaders (who regrouped after lunch for the repeat session).  But I thank GOD for His grace for the first 44 years of my life, and for 44 years more and beyond filled with His grace and love.  I also thank those who greeted me on this day, and those who celebrated with me.  We might not yet see each other face to face, but I hope they know that I am always praying for their well-being.

Most of all I thank the Lord that even if I am not as successful and as accomplished as many of my peers, like those who occupy high positions in their careers and society, those who have filled their walls with their numerous awards, citations, licenses, degrees and certifications, and those who have been around the world countless times, I am still tremendously grateful that I get to experience what I consider the well-proportioned life—one that is peppered with hardship and suffering, but always graced and seasoned with His mercy and goodness.

And for that, we might look at the most perfect example the Word has for us, in the life of Job, in the book named after him, particularly the second chapter.  Here we see what is the one attitude necessary for a person to have a well-balanced, well-proportioned life, in verse 10, the latter part, which says, “…What? Shall we receive good at the hand of GOD, and shall we not receive evil?  In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”

This pandemic is one of many, and in the future there will be more, hardships and suffering.  But may we always remember that both good and bad things that happen to us does not in any way diminish from GOD’s great plan and purpose for our lives.  Like Job, a rich man who was faithful to GOD, yet after losing his children, his wealth, and even his health, still remained steadfast, may we too remain strong in the faith in spite of everything that comes our way, short of taking our last breath.

We may still suffer to the end of our days, but may our lives be filled with faith in His power and love, in believing that everything is working for our good and our ultimate deliverance.  May we aspire not the wealth or fame or success as defined in this world, but the kind of well-proportioned life only Jesus Christ can give.