How Easy..... And Yet How Hard...

Life takes many exciting turns. Sometimes it jumps with leaps and bounds, keeping us on the edge of our seat, and then other times, it meanders along, peacefully taking each gentle curve. One of my favorite set of paintings is called 'The Voyage of Life', by Thomas Cole. It's housed in the National Gallery of Art, in Washington D.C., and he does an amazing job of representing what life is like. You can view all four of them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voyage_of_Life

If you are like me, you have started the transition from the carefree life, portrayed in the "Youth" stage, to dealing with the trials of life, and actually working through everything, as portrayed in "Manhood." You have some of the worries of the second, but you still have that optimism from the first. Right about now is when we have the most dreams and ambitions for the future, and when most of those are usually crushed.

So what do we do about this? How do we maintain that optimism, that bright spirit, while still facing the real world? Is it even possible?

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the world tells teens to not care. Live life for the eight years they are in high-school and college, and then after that, settle down to a job they will probably hate, a house with a mortgage, a wife we'll probably end up divorcing, and kids who will grow up, only counting the days until they turn 18. This is what the world wants to tell us about life, and how we are supposed to live it.

Fail. Epic fail.

So here's a thought: What if you had a job you actually looked forward too? Just to pick on one of those illusions of life. Some people say I'm weird, but I wake up in the morning, and I am happy to go to work! I truly enjoy my labors, and I look forward with great anticipation to being able to serve people! I see that as one way God has given me to use my talents and abilities, and I am able to glorify Him through the use of those said talents and abilities!

So here is just something to think about. Instead of dreading whatever you dread, whether it be school, or work, or exercising, or whatever! Instead of groaning, complaining, dreading, and postponing that said thing, look forward too it! Anticipate it with great joy! Think of that one thing as your way to glorify God! This is your purpose in life, to do ALL things as unto God, and He will bless you. In fact, He'll not only bless you, but He'll use those things you were dreading, and use them for His glory! How cool is that?

So now you have something a little bit more applicable... Now go do it!

~unclejoe