Zigzagging Through Life Part III

Zigzagging Through Life Part III

God rewards people who show up for life despite whatever fear and trepidation lurks within crevices of their minds and closets of their hearts.  David triumphed over Goliath in large measure because of David’s willingness to fight steadfastly.  He shows up to combat the giant and God empowers David with the inner fortitude to forsake his fear.  Had David followed the fearful example of his brothers and their fellow soldiers in the Israelite army, he would not have challenged Goliath.  David would have missed the tremendous blessing of receiving divine empowerment to face life’s greatest challenges.  God graciously grants David these eternal and spiritual riches because David showed up that day.

Amazingly, God will surprise you, if you show up.  I recall a time when I went to the library to study.  I really did not want to do so that day.  Instead, I wanted to sleep and play afterwards.  Somehow, grace motivated me to go and study.  When I arrived at the intersection to make a left hand turn that leads to the library’s entrance, it was blocked due to road construction.  I took a detour and went out of my way to get back to the library.  Several turns, traffic lights, and minutes of waiting were necessary to reach my initial destination.  I was actually “fit to be tied” in exasperation.  I immediately ascended to the mental zone of “I am Gumby.”  When I finally worked my way back, I serendipitously discovered free and non-meter parking.  What a very pleasant surprise!  Similarly, God’s incredible grace often surprises us when we show up for life.

Affirmation is the second spiritual discipline that immensely aids us as we zigzag our way through life.  We affirm the Word of God.  I suggest a verse for each day that we repeat incessantly.  That mantra encourages perseverance toward the finish line.  Again, when I walk, I say aloud, “This time is going to be different.”  Interestingly, a life experience coach recommends that I find a more positive saying.  In response, I choose such verses Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 27:1-2, Psalm 27:13-14, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10-13, Isaiah 42:16, Isaiah 43:1-3, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:28, 2 Timothy 1:7 and hosts of other biblical affirmations. 

Meditation emerges naturally from affirmation.  This spiritual practice resembles a cow’s chewing on its cud.  The animal churns the wad of hay over and over again.  He even regurgitates some of it after digesting it.  Then, he chews upon the wad again in order that he might digest the hay even better.  Likewise, we can take a verse each day and mentally dissect it with the objective of finding the empowering Word of God for our particular situation.  As we contemplate the intricacies of the Bible and mine a text for its gems, we discover spiritual guidance and divine wisdom that speaks practically to our daily challenges.  The art of meditation allows us to receive the riches of God’s grace as revealed in the Word of God.

Discipline is the deciding factor in life.  It essentially determines whether you achieve or not.  Many of us know very talented people who fail to actualize their potential.  Such people leave these divine gifts dormant within their lifespan.  Unfortunately, some very gifted people undermine themselves because they lack focus and are disorganized.  In graduate school, I observed the careers of two professors.  One obtained the status of a distinguished professorship, which exempted him from burdensome committee assignments and rewarded him with an impressive salary and other perks.  The other professor, although brighter than his colleague, never published a scholarly monograph beyond his dissertation.  Ironically, he had completed enough primary research to write at least ten or more books.  Yet, he simply did not possess the requisite discipline and focus to publish those books.  Summarily, talent without discipline results in aimlessness, idleness and failure.