Sunshine, Rapids, Shoulders

The photograph was taken the on a wilderness-wander the other day portraying the ambivalence of life’s journey . . . there will always be sunshine above, and tumultuous rapids below. The picture depicts sunshine’s Hope.

A recent totally unexpected, upsetting event threatened capsizing in discouragement’s rapids, but Grace kept me upright.  A quote came to mind reminding me not allow yesterday’s failures to destroy today’s joys;

“To live above with the folks we love, that will be glory. To live below with the folks we know, that’s another story.”

Years ago, lamenting to a pastor friend how my life’s foremost, self-imposed failure had affected others and Christianity’s name, he compassionately, but candidly told me,

“It’s not about you Fred. You’re not that important. God and others will survive your failure”.

His words uncovered the root of all sins I’ve struggled with throughout my life . . . ‘I’m important’ self-pride.

Watching the rising sun evaporate clouds off the mountains this morning, a subtle, Divine duality of pride stuck me . . . in my own and the world’s perspective, I’m truly “not that important”. But I . . . the one who wandered away . . . God has undeservedly and sacrificially deemed “most important”, leaving the 99 to carry me back to the flock on His shoulders.

While we proudly take pride celebrating our country’s precious independence and freedom this 4^th of July, may we ever remember it’s Him who has been carrying our nation on His shoulders, and endeavor to continue let Him do so in His way, not ours.

Happy 4^th of July!                                 
                                            
Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!