Today’s Readings: Psalm 131; Joshua 4:19-5:1; John 6:16-27; 1 Corinthians 7:8-11; Psalm 121
One of the most popular clichés in our culture is: “The grass is always greener on the other side”. I can understand its popularity since we are a culture that is geared toward always wanting to be in a different social location. When we are a child, for instance, we are frustrated by the limitations placed on us so we want to be an adult (i.e. 21). When we are 21, we are just starting out and feel frustrated by our financial limitations so we want to be older so that we can have more money and power (i.e. 35). When we are 35, we are overwhelmed by the many demands on our lives and wish for more time and freedom to explore our interests so we start longing for retirement (i.e. 65). When we are 65, we are frustrated by our emerging health issues and fixed income so we wish we were younger. We are fickle, aren’t we?! One of the most elusive things for us as human beings is to achieve a sense of happiness and satisfaction in our present life circumstance. Paul picks up this theme in today’s passage from 1 Corinthians where he speaks to individuals in different circumstances. In speaking to single individuals, for instance, Paul exhorts them to consider the fact that “singleness might well be the best thing for them”. In speaking to those who are married, he says plainly “stay married”. In other words, Paul encourages us to consider the radical notion that perhaps the grass where you are is green enough. So where are you at with this in your own life? Are you someone who focuses on the patches of grass on adjacent fields, or are you able to focus on (and appreciate) the grass in your own field? My hope for all of us is that we can find a greater degree of appreciation for our own patch of grass. Til next time…
One of the most popular clichés in our culture is: “The grass is always greener on the other side”. I can understand its popularity since we are a culture that is geared toward always wanting to be in a different social location. When we are a child, for instance, we are frustrated by the limitations placed on us so we want to be an adult (i.e. 21). When we are 21, we are just starting out and feel frustrated by our financial limitations so we want to be older so that we can have more money and power (i.e. 35). When we are 35, we are overwhelmed by the many demands on our lives and wish for more time and freedom to explore our interests so we start longing for retirement (i.e. 65). When we are 65, we are frustrated by our emerging health issues and fixed income so we wish we were younger. We are fickle, aren’t we?! One of the most elusive things for us as human beings is to achieve a sense of happiness and satisfaction in our present life circumstance. Paul picks up this theme in today’s passage from 1 Corinthians where he speaks to individuals in different circumstances. In speaking to single individuals, for instance, Paul exhorts them to consider the fact that “singleness might well be the best thing for them”. In speaking to those who are married, he says plainly “stay married”. In other words, Paul encourages us to consider the radical notion that perhaps the grass where you are is green enough. So where are you at with this in your own life? Are you someone who focuses on the patches of grass on adjacent fields, or are you able to focus on (and appreciate) the grass in your own field? My hope for all of us is that we can find a greater degree of appreciation for our own patch of grass. Til next time…
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