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JOURNALOGUE
The Journalogue focuses on faith and devotion, where the audience is often, God. Writings and posts from this desk draws the reader into an introspective and meditative circle. We look for quality submissions that reflects this very clearly. Articles should be no longer than 1000 words. Images should be at least 500 pixels (jpg, gih, png). You should credit your source for relevant image or quotes.
Email annabelle@createlevoyage.com.
Monday, June 5, 2006
anchor
Writer : Annabelle Bok
About five weeks ago, I was an undergraduate taking her final examination. Five days after my last paper, I was in the office for my first day at work. I also slipped back into the church choir's weekly schedule after a three-month study break. The following week, I was back on duty at the youth service, also after a three-month hiatus. At work, I'm learning on the job, doing things I have no prior experience with or exposure to. And it's interesting and exciting in some ways, but also tiring and a little stressful, mostly because I'm not used to the hours.
Transitions are always a difficult time. Although I'm generally quite an adaptable person, recent weeks have seen so many changes that at times I feel like I've been cut loose to drift wherever the wind and waves may take me. It certainly hasn't been easy for my man either -- he's had to put up with my shortened temper, general touchiness, and changeable moods.
The past week has been one of the most volatile periods I've had this year, but over the weekend I learned one thing: that I can choose. I can choose to be stable in spite of changes, or I can choose to allow changes to make me volatile. I can choose to take someone at their word, or I can choose to go by what I want to see, whenever I want to see it.
He posed me a question that upset me at first, but on hindsight, it was a wise question indeed: "Ask yourself who and what really make you happy."
At the time that he said this, I was in a full-blown "poor me" depressive mode and I was angry with him for not being sensitive to my feelings. But as it turns out, he was right. I can't rely on him to say the right things at the right time all the time -- it's humanly impossible. I can choose to insist that he do it, and in so doing, choose to have a flimsy and unstable happiness. Or I can choose to just love him for who he is, and let my dependence rest on my Father in heaven on and His promises.
I may feel that my man's smile and his words are the reason why I can be happy, and quote the scriptures to back that up -- or I can look higher, and take the pressure off him, by anchoring myself on the fact that the God of the universe smiles on me continually and has promised that He will never leave or forsake me.
It is written, "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me" (Psalm 138:8), and I can choose whether or not to take the Bible at its word. On that choice hinges my stability. If the scriptures are God-breathed, whether or not I believe what this verse says has a great deal of effect on how I see and live my life.
Jesus has proven Himself far too many times to be discounted. My Shepherd will never let me be put to shame. This, then, is my decision: "I will take You at Your Word."
"We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love."
(lyrics: Priscilla Owens, 1882; composer: William Kirkpatrick)
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