Shattered Plans

I'm seeing some similarities in my life, and a common thread.

I am very concerned about my son's progress in school, his extra-curricular activities and the quality of his friends and associates.

Why?

Because I have plans for him. I want him to succeed in life. He MUST succeed in life!

I am still recovering from my divorce. It's hard for me to give up on the plans for our future together, and our children's future.

Job 17:11 (KJV) - My days are past, my purposes are broken off, [even] the thoughts of my heart.

At fifty, my view of the world is quite different than it was at twenty. All those years ago I felt like I had infinite potential to succeed.

But now?

Now it seems I have become either cynical or maybe just resigned to life, and I see less and less reason to plan.

Psalms 146:4 (KJV) - His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

In each case I see a grief over the perceived loss of these goals.

I can see it farther back in my personal history as well. In this ending decade I have realized that my political party has been taken over by greedy men who consider the end more important than the means, and I'm sad over the loss of great ideals.

Job 5:12 KJV - He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise.

'Global Warming' and 2012 doomsday scenarios- Why do they scare and upset? Nothing puts a crimp in your plans like discussing the pending destruction of humanity!

James 4:13-16 (KJV) - Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

Maybe the stunted economy is warping my view, getting me to think that my country is also in decline. Or maybe the sickened economy is proof that our country really is in decline! Can we recover? What exactly is this feeling of loss, if not the trashing of a dream?

Proverbs 19:21 (KJV) - [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

The church is not immune. It seems easy to see its breakdown, from control by politically minded leaders to the exposed corruption of those we are asked to trust. In the absence of the strong, the spotlight falls on marginal and delusional crackpots who just want to be responsible for stirring the pot, inciting dissension. And of course this makes for very easy targets for atheists and other critics.

With the possible exception of 2012 doomsday scenarios (which I find very 'entertaining' right along discussions of the Zombie Apocalypse), I am feeling some grief and loss in all these areas. Where does that feeling of loss come from? What have I 'lost'?

Proverbs 16:9 (KJV) - A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

I guess I have to say that in making these plans, having these goals, I have been collecting Earthly treasures. We all know of physical treasure, like the pirates chest full of gold doubloons, or in modern terms, the Escalade and the beach house. But treasure can also be intangible thoughts like goals, ideals.

What did Jesus say?

Luke 12:11-14 (KJV) - And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and [unto] magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

(I think Jesus was saying- "Hey, do you think your estate is of ANY importance?")

He continues:

Luke 12:15-34 (KJV) - And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.
But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body [is more] than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more [will he clothe] you, O ye of little faith?

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

What do you really care about?

Can we strip ourselves of all caring, so as to not have any 'attachments'? Some do.

What earthly (or heavenly) good is it to anyone else, if a person is freed from 'attachments' through detachment, becoming a veritable hermit?

OR- [WHISPER]pssst! There may be a better way![/WHISPER]

Are there healthier things to care about, that can never be stolen or lost? Are there any 'safe bets' for our investment?

Here are two or three:

Matthew 22:37-39 (KJV) - Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind ...and... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mark 12:30,31 (KJV) - ...thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength ...and... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Luke 10:27 (KJV) - ...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Loving God-- always a safe bet that you can never lose out on.

And loving your fellow human being, despite anything they might do to you, is also a safe bet, because no one can ever take that from you.

The love you have to give is a never ending resource. It never came from external things, and has always come from within you!