A friend of mine mused recently whether 2010 has just been a colossal waste of time. Several other friends immediately reminded him of what he has accomplished this year—the renovation of what was almost a decrepit house into a wonderful, sturdy beautiful home for his daughter and her family—and of the time he has had with his two young grandsons. He said he wasn’t thinking of it personally but in terms of civilization.
I think about this year and in some ways I know what he was talking about. We have witnessed quite a lot that is disturbing. The list would vary depending what side of the aisle one occupies politically, but there has been enough disturbing news to fill many lists. And on the personal side, I look at the pile of medical reports and insurance forms that indicates a bit of our journey this year. It can be almost enough to make me cry, “Do over!” or “Let’s get to 2011 fast!”
I would prefer to look back at a year and tally up all that has been wonderful—there has been joy, for sure: watching Aaliyah grow and seeing my sons mature not the least among them. As I look back, I do see the joy, I see the blossoms, but I also have become ever more aware of what Isaiah wrote, that the “constancy of people is like the flower of the field.” It withers; it fades. If I am to build my happiness, my contentment there, I will be surely disappointed. Isaiah goes on to say, “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.” This is a guiding principle. Here I can put my trust and hope. “On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
Where do you put your trust and hope?
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