REFLECTIONS

The Journey

Every day is part of the journey as we progress through this world God created just for us. And every day we journey toward new phases of life leaving behind every phase we passed through except memories solely our own to ponder, and draw upon, and savor, and grow from.

Life phases are like great rooms we move through. Each of them with just the right furnishings to prepare us for the next phase until we reach the final one that steps into eternity. We usually discern when we leave one room to enter a new one, but I expect we won’t recognize the final phase until we walk out the door to exit from it.

The first day of school usually marks the end of life’s formative phase. Enter the development phase, then productivity, then guiding, followed by wise counsel before fading into whatever we choose to call those final phases I believe I’m entering now.

My body weakening and my mind slowing, life’s remaining phases are mysteries yet to meet. Only this is known, productivity takes on a new meaning. It’s no longer measured by what we produce in our journeys through this life, but rather it’s what our lives will leave behind.

For me, a big part of the next phase begins with review. I look back upon painful disappointments scattered among smiles of satisfaction, and upon shameful acts that tarnish the glow of deeds done well. And I find God’s blessings hovering over them all, blessings undeserved and under-appreciated. He blessed me with a life with purpose and giftedness to fulfill it. This gives me hope to enter life’s final phase in prayerful thanksgiving for giving me life and a burning desire that what my life leaves behind will bring glory to God’s holy name.

 And maybe then I will finally see what God has prepared for those who love him.

“You are the light of the world,”

Richard +

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