I’ve been thinking. Sometimes I wish for an 11th commandment.
Have you ever considered that we have instant heart attacks, instant strokes, and in an instant we can break a bone or have an accident? But rarely do we have instant happiness. Have you ever wondered why we have to work at everything that matters and why we can’t just coast our way to achievement of some goal? We have to put a lot of effort into making anything better – from organizing a closet, to organizing a life. Right? When there’s a task at hand, we can’t wish it done.
I get this blank look on my face every time I hear the cliché if you can dream it you can do it. I find it far easier to dream of things to do than to actually do them. Anyone else with me on that? It’s easy to dream, but it takes hard work to turn the dream into reality. Notice I didn’t say impossible, but the facts are – to progress toward a dream, it takes a lot of demanding work. And while working toward turning dreams into reality, there are choices to make – and therein lies the dilemma. In the cafeteria of life there are so many choices and every decision has a consequence and every decision makes an impact … all along the way. It’s not like one wrong decision will lead to disaster or destruction, but once we start, we want to stay on the right path and see progress. We don’t like to be derailed. We have this crazy notion that if we have a setback, it’s a stayback.
In these moments or maybe seasons of derailment that feel more like a train wreck, this is where it would be great if God had given us the 11th commandment. Maybe it could say Thou shalt …. And then have a floating, interchangeable ending that would fit the occasion. Here’s you answer. This is what you should do when this happens.But we know, life doesn’t work that way. We are overwhelmed with choices to decide; do we go left or right? Is this the time to move forward, or should I step back? Should I say yes because it’s meant for good? Or is that committing to something that’s good, but not what God wants for me at this time? I’ve been thinking about that and found myself wishing for an 11th commandment. Just because something is good, does not mean best. When I pray “Lord change me – whatever your plan is for me, give me insight and a willing spirit to do what is best.” there is no skywriter to put God’s answer in front of my eyes. A skywriter . . . That would be AWEMazing!
Sometimes it takes days, weeks, months or longer for answers to come. God is not in a hurry. He is never late, never early, but is right on time – His time. God says to be patient in Romans 12:12. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” He also says to ask for wisdom. James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” And he also promises to be faithful in answering when we call on him to take the lead. 1Thessalonians 5:24 “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
I’ve been thinking about an 11th commandment, just to help us navigate the murky waters life throws on us.
The 11th commandment – Thou shalt seek the light John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Or the 11th commandment – Thou shalt seek joy Psalm 86:4 “Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
Or the 11th commandment – Thou shalt trust Psalm 13:5 ” I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.”
Or the 11th commandment – Thou shalt …. what will the ending be when you pray “Lord take all of me. Change me into the person you created me to be.”
Anyway, that’s what I was thinking.
Greetings Jane! Your articles reminds me of the movie “The Harder They Fall” starring Frank Sinatra and the song “High Hopes”. Best Regards “Gumshoe”
Thank you for your kind words, Danny, “Gumshoe”. I haven’t seen that movie. I will have to look it up and see if I can watch it. Welcome back!
Great article Jane with much truth, and absolutely we must trust in God in all ways. As for happiness, I find it in HIM and HE is consistent.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Lynn. It’s absolutely true that our hope and joy come from knowing God and his son Jesus.