LIFE IS A MINEFIELD...LET’S DANCE

Beyond the simple resources necessary for life, and the forgiveness that makes community possible and life worth living, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray for guidance. That’s three things: bread, forgiveness and direction.

This third item should not come as a surprise, when he called each of us Jesus said “Follow me.” The life he calls us to is purposeful, and the purpose is not our own. It is a walk strewn with stumbling-blocks, a voyage through reefs and storms, a dangerous and challenging pilgrimage. Triumphs will come, but only with courage, and treasures with dedication and perseverance. We live to serve God and one another, to help move things along, so how we move, or more precisely how we follow, is important.

But when it comes to the challenges of life there are two unhelpful tendencies that beset us. The first is denial, the pretence that life is all sweetness and light. The second is to make too much of the dangers, either to cower before them or to arrogantly seek them out. Jesus steers a middle course.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matt 6:34

and

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matt 6:13

It takes great resolve to live a full and worthy human life. It takes commitment, trust, faith, hope and love. A few days ago a friend sent me a video. I suspect it made her think of us because Suzanne and I have been married for over 38 years and have been honest enough to tell her it hasn’t all been easy. But to me the song is about far more than what it takes to have a good marriage. It’s about what it takes for all of us to live worthy lives together, to dance in the minefields, to sail in the storms. It’s about trusting each other’s promises and the promises of God. Check it out.

Dancing in the Minefields by Andrew Peterson

With God’s faithful leadership, and our faithful followship, we just might get through this mysterious and sometimes miserable world with all our parts and people pretty much where they belong. At least, we would do well to pray to that end.