Have you ever watched someone struggle at wisdom? No, I am not saying they are stupid, I am saying I see the struggle they face.
With our own blind eyes and ideas, we approach the situation thinking our plan is logical. We proceed, never realizing the cart is bigger than the horse, yet alone in front of it.
The pressures begin with, “I have to hurry,” and end with disasters. Every planned attempt was a waste of energy and the project is no farther along than when first started. Struggle has become a new best friend acting like a drunk fool at the party. Struggle shouts to the crowd, “look at my rushed decisions.” He says I have a plan that is failing and we cover it up with quick explanations that lead to a feeling of inadequacy. Struggle…we are doing it the hard way with tenacity and, no matter what, we push forward.
On the side lines,”Mr. Friend ” watches. His suggestions are quickly dismissed, until the next morning. “Hurry” gave way to good advice, and a better decision was made after a good night of sleep. But a return to a failing plan is far better than asking for help. Is it about pride? Or “hurry”? Or what is the motivation and the driving force behind the attempts?
We all have our list of responsibilities: work to pay bills, feed the dog, kick the cat, beat the wife and kids. Just kidding! But as a part of life we do have responsibilities that intertwine with our jobs, wife, and families. We do have to give an account for our time.
The difficulty is in the decisions. Help our friend or take care of our own responsibilities? We have helped many times in the past and enjoyed the activity. But to each his own path, decision, and consequence. As I see others bring complicated situations into their lives with more responsibilities. I can see the pay off. Many have pushed forward to receive the dollar bill. Yet others spin the tires in the sand. They need help but have not discovered the secret of communication. I wonder inside,”do they see what I see?” But how do you help? Yes, there are times of stepping in with a strong suggestion and some good old fashion manual labor. But you also see the picture of allowing them to learn a lesson. The seeds of frustration and patience are growing with the water that is dripping from the brow of hard labor.
None of this is what I wish for my friend. I wish peace. But even more so I wish for the hand of God’s plan to bubble to the surface. I wish for people to take the time to listen inside for His voice and spend time with Him. We each play a part in His plan. Yet we all struggle with accomplishing what He is asking us to do.
Are we the hands of God? Are we the ones available for His use in the earth? I do believe in folding my hands in a simple prayer of faith, but that is only a starting point. After the words are spoken about life situations and when I have said my piece, I hope my hands are callused from the labor.