“We want life to be trouble-free and entirely enjoyable, to be devoid of risk and suffering and death. We cover reality with smiley faces and shallow clichés. We talk about thinking positively or thinking good thoughts and everything will just be fine. This is, at best, immaturity. If we refuse to grow up to a better view, then it is more than immaturity; it is foolishness.” (Table in the Mist- Jeffrey Meyers)
If we are really honest we admit that looking around, even only so far as a small church, the illness, misery, and suffering are great. All are around is injustice and death.
So, how do we gain a better view of life without the Pollyannaish silliness but also without debilitating pessimism; where is the balance?
Maybe if we just work a bit harder, put in overtime on Sunday, things will work out for us, work out for everyone, things will turn around because of my effort and all will be well. Reality will be bliss because of our efforts.
Our toil will not to be the king pin for success rather it is a gracious gift from God, “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil.”
Just as God so often does he takes a thing and turns it on its head. We think, we’ll give God a hand up, help Him make things right, and He turns it upside down and says, “Isn’t it great that you have work to do and I will do with it what I will.”
Just as it is foolish to slap a false smile on our face it is equally foolish to think that we are the key to God’s good name and our happiness. And it is equally vain to think that we can leverage God with our hard work. ”In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider surely God has appointed one as well as the other.”
In spite of life’s vaporous nature life can be enjoyed. Not with smiley faces and trite clichés, but because God rules. The fact that life cannot be mastered, leveraged, or even fully comprehended by man should not cause us to lose heart. In fact, we need to rest in that, take a break from ruling the world from our tiny throne and trust in God.
Cheers! Eat, Drink and enjoy the hard work you’ve done.
actually u couldnt cry under water because when you cry you inhale and exhale quite frequently wich would make you drown