We often go wondering through the far reaches of the mind to bring forth some obscure “lost” memory to muse over – perhaps as an escape from the blatant, constant negative thoughts bombarding our consciousness as we recall the words of “Rav Shaul” (Apostle Paul), “Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
“Okay, enough already.
I don’t need a constant reminder how rotten I am!” And so it goes, the struggles, the conflicts
we wrestle within ourselves. It’s time
for another excursion through the maze of the psyche to find respite from the
stranglehold upon us. Is there no
escape? Each personality is unique,
making for many differing brands of problems to be encountered, relative to the
way we may be “wired”. This often causes
difficulty relating one to another rather than alleviating the stress within.
For those attempting to live up to the standards found in
the Scriptures it becomes even more vexing to know we are not measuring
up. There would seem to be a conflict of
understanding about what the Holy Writ has to say how we should live. On the one hand we find that we are helpless
– even without hope. There’s no way to
measure up to perfection (if it can even be determined what that may be). For those who are followers of Yeshua
(Jesus), and stake their claim in His salvation, the understanding is we are
made righteous in Him. If this is true
then why are we instructed to cease from doing the things that we find seemingly
impossible to accomplish? No one is
without fault when it comes to measuring up to the standards we are commanded
to do and keep. No doubt everyone can
identify with Paul when he stated, “…how to perform that which is good, I find
not. For the good that I would (do) – I
do not: but the evil which I would not
(do), that (is what) I do.” How well
this wayfarer relates to the dilemma stated by Paul.
Stumbling through the foggy maze of the Cerebral Vortex the
strains of a familiar melody can be heard wafting from the distance, as remembrance
of the lyrics penetrates the subconscious, bringing the realization all is not
hopeless.
“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
After having been reminded “it is well, with my soul” calm
settles over the troubled thoughts. It
clears the mind and dispels the fog as reality settles in and regardless the
turbulence and negativity hope is in evidence.
Being a “Child of the King” does not mean freedom from troubles, but the
assurance that you will rise above them.
Mourning turns to dancing; heaviness of heart turns to singing; the
wretchedness becomes happiness; negativity transforms to positivity.
Knowing that one must heed the instructions given on how
to conduct our life we will fail miserably.
This is all the more reason to trust in the Giver of Life and work all
the more diligently to be obedient to those ways. Because harm comes when we dwell on failures it
is imperative to recognize when we stumble – when we disobey – we ask
forgiveness and continue to work for “perfection”, even when it may not be
achieved. This does not excuse ones misbehavior
but knowing the grace extended to each one willing to receive it brings
restoration and, hopefully, the resolve to do better.
This Wayfarer certainly has not achieved perfection – far
from it, as a matter of fact. But he
does put his trust and hope in His Father that the work He begun in him will continue
to perform it until the day of Yeshua (Jesus).
The Wayfarer is at peace with this assurance as the rays of sunshine have
filtered through the fog. May you
discover this same reality and apply it to your life each day.
Be blessed and shalom.
