OBSERVATIONS of
life, made from crucial vantage points of assessment, reflecting over what has
been and what is done, we come, afresh, to decision time.
As any game or
event is — a plethoric series of potentially significant moments — which we
only note as significant as we look back — our lives are chockfull of such
moments. And the game isn’t over!
The game of life
is about the character to avert pride in victory and remain stoic in defeat.
And life is a game, if we can imagine how important such events are to us mere
mortals. We place so much stock in the winning of competitions, whether it be
sport, politics, current affairs, even wars. Yet we miss what’s blatantly in
front of us — but for a little reflection: life is the most serious, most
truth-filled game of all.
Life!
What proves my
point better than death? We are all dying, and will one day pass into the realm
of God. What will be important then?
All of life is a
conquest for one thing or another: comfort, here, or character.
Comfort and
character are about choices and consequences. We, by our choices, choose our own
consequences.
Life will take us
on a passage of moments — much like a game — and it will put us in situations
where we have choices. Choices force decisions. To be indecisive is the worst: the
critic is the one who remains so indecisive they opt to criticise others rather
than step into the arena themselves — and make something of a contest of their
game.
It’s too easy to
have an opinion; will our opinion drive us into a position of doing something?
That’s the challenge.
Life’s about deciding
the question of commitment to the conquest for character.
We’re all
committed to something; the worst of
us is committed to everything in such a way we’re committed to nothing: classic
behavioural indecision.
If we can strip
away all the little distractions of life that matter so little, we can commit
to the only thing that matters much: character.
Character is
formed in us when we make tough choices that subtract our comfort.
Character is
added to us as a joy when comfort is willingly subtracted.
The more we
resist comfort for comfort sakes — comfort therapy — the more we can take hold
of which is our holy destination in Christ.
Sure, there are
times when we do genuinely need comfort; times when our cravings are holy and
appropriate; times when we crave God’s comfort. A comfort only his Holy Spirit
can provide. Yet, it’s a classic irony that God-comfort is actually the fast track to character growth. It’s
the only viable comfort; the only comfort that works.
But every sensual
and worldly comfort takes us away from character formation and maturation.
The truth is
there are many moments in our lives
when we face the same question:
“Will I make a
fresh commitment to the conquest for character?”
Your answer?
It only matters
to you and God — and, of course, to everyone your life impacts.
© 2015 Steve
Wickham.
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