Five Things I Cannot Control

1. The Weather – If the meteorologist cannot even accurately predict the weather, my complaining about it changes nothing in life.
I’ve learnt to be thankful for the rain that waters all the beautiful gardens.

2. The Traffic – Due to the North American love affair with the car, I know the traffic in our city will not get better. I just have to become more patient and plan my trips wisely. “Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.” Dan Rather
3. Aging – Time and tide waits for no man. I’ve accepted the fact that I cannot reverse the ravages of time, but I’m doing my best to stay physically, mentally and spiritually fit. I’m also more aware of the fact that I need to take every opportunity to touch lives and leave behind a meaningful legacy. “The aging process has you firmly in its grasp if you never get the urge to throw a snowball.” Doug Larson
4. Change – Change is inevitable. Nothing stays the same for any length of time. Sometimes change may involve struggle and pain, but change is necessary for growth. I try to adapt to new technologies, adopt new ideas, and become adept at becoming all things to all people. “He who rejects change is the architect of decay.” James Harold Wilson

“The pessimist complains about the wind; The optimist expects it to change; The realist adjusts the sails.” William Arthur Ward

5. Busyness – No matter how I try, life is way too busy. There are just too many demands on my life. Family, friends, work, church and our societal demands can rob the soul of its unique ability to appreciate life, stifle our artistic creativity, quench our love for people, and destroy our simple childlike faith. I have to learn to create boundaries in my life. I have to discern the urgent from the important. I have to prioritize and protect my quiet moments; and take time to renew my spirit and soul.

“Sometimes we are so busy being the hammer or the anvil, that we forget who really needs the shaping.” Neal A. Maxwell

“We must never be too busy to take time to sharpen the saw.” Stephen R. Covey
These words from Jesus remind me to keep the main thing, the main thing in my life.

I have finished the work which You have given me to do. John 17:14

What are you building?

Have you ever noticed that houses are very different, depending on the geography, social and economic factors. Styles change from season to season, and that also affects the architectural design through the ages. Everywhere you go, people build different types of homes. The design varies and the size of each home is influenced by the neighborhood we live in. Some are small and compact, whilst others may be considered monster homes.

Most on the West Coast are built from wood, to survive earthquakes, but others may be constructed from concrete and even stone. Each has a function, and its form reflects the values and priorities of the builder. Huge homes in Texas
Likewise in life, we all build base on what we value most.
“They build too low who build beneath the skies.” Edward Young

“Whatever your lot in life, build something on it.”

“Every man is the builder of a temple, called his body, to the god he worships, after a style purely his own, nor can he get off by hammering marble instead. We are all sculptors and painters, and our material is our own flesh and blood and bones.” Henry David Thoreau
“If you don't have solid beliefs, you cannot build a stable life. Beliefs are like the foundation of a building, and they are the foundation to build your life upon.” Alfred Armand Montapert

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”
Psalm 127:1(NKJV)
Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool. What house will you build for me? Acts 7:49; Isaiah 66:1 (NKJV)

Psalm 98

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn— shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Highrise Living

Most city skylines are dominated by high-rises or skyscrapers. As more and more people opt to live closer to their work, these concrete monuments slowly replace the once natural silhouette with its boxy outline. It’s strange how more people today prefer these condos and apartments, instead of the traditional homes with a lawn and backyard.
Some years back, I moved into a 2o story high apartment with the family. I remember the moving day very well, because both the elevators broke down and we had to haul everything up 16 floors. I lived in that flat for at least 7 years, but never knew any of my neighbors. Everyone minded their own business and rarely ever talked to each other. It’s a consequence of modern living – most people don’t have the time or the desire to connect with their neighbors or people other than their family and few close friends.

I was just thinking about the Lord’s commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) It’s pretty difficult to love your neighbor if you don’t really know who they are.

A Bird’s Eye View

I received a call one day from a very good friend. He asked if I would like to go away for a day on a remote island resort with him and his family. After some quick rescheduling of appointments and a call to the wife; I accepted his invitation. I came to find out later that we were going to get there via helicopter.

This was my first ‘heli-jet’ ride, as I had missed many other opportunities during my 12 year stint in the Air Force.

As helicopters can’t fly above a certain ceiling, most of the flight was at 2,000 feet, which gave us a really panoramic and bird’s-eye view of the coastline.
I never knew that there were so many little islands off the coast, and that so many had beautiful sandy beaches. I’ve taken ferry trips to various islands before, but somehow this journey was very different. The islands and the sea looked more exotic and inviting. Perhaps, it was because of where I was viewing everything from; it definitely gave a different perspective of everything.
Before we hovered to land, the pilot banked steeply to make a tight turn over the landing pad. What a heart-stopping experience!

A day later we went on a sea excursion and visited a spot where bald eagles feed. Evidently, due to strong underwater currents, bottom feeders like hake and flounder get caught up in whirlpools and are sent topside. This creates a feeding frenzy for the eagles which gather in the hundreds in nearby trees. We couldn’t really see the fish from water level, but I guess those marauding eagles had a different viewpoint.

That experience left me thinking about our perspective on life and how often it is limited and lacks the ‘big-picture’ that God sees.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life, I will advice you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8

We can see only as far as the horizon and rely on hindsight; but He sees the beginning and the end of all things.

Guard me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalms 17:8

Arrival

Have you ever made a long transcontinental flight before? It’s probably one of the most tiring experiences in modern living; especially if you’re flying economy class. Imagine spending 18 hours on a plane. 5 hours into the flight, I’ve finished reading every periodical and magazine on board. 10 hours later, I’ve watched every movie I can handle. At that point, I can’t wait for the plane to touch down and wished that someone would have invented a “Star Trek, beam-me-down” device.

There was a dream vacation that I took a few years ago that required such a long flight. After an 18 hour flight, followed by a 3 hour drive to our destination, we arrived. I spied a sign at the entrance to the resort that I thought was very appropriate; “A Sense of Arrival.”

There are some places in life when you’ve arrived, that you never want to leave. This was one of those unique places. 3 days in a private villa with your very own swimming pool; throw in a personal butler, at you call and beckon; and it doesn’t take any imagination why anyone would want to leave.
This was as perfect a setting for a vacation as anyone could dream of. Breakfast by the beach every morning, while serenaded by folk musicians; followed by a two-hour walk on the beach without bumping into another soul. Take an afternoon swim in the resort’s mega infinity pool and cap it all with a barbeque dinner. After that, cool off in your private villa pool – now that’s life!

The sad thing about arrival halls in Airports is that on another level, there is found a departure hall. One never arrives…and stays long enough, especially when life is great. Something always interrupts or cuts shot that experience. I’ve determined that you never really arrive because life is a journey.
I’ve learnt to enjoy the moment, and take as much memories and lessons from each stage of the journey. I’m also training myself to be patient and be content, when I arrive at a difficult crossroad in life, for I know, that too will pass!