Helplessness

Even though there are 24 hours in each day, some days make us feel like years and others slip away in seconds. For the past month, I have experienced both days in my life to the extreme. First, a sudden storm has downed a huge tree in our front yard, which brought our entire family out to clean up the mess. When I was toiling under the summer sun and hewing the tree trunk with my undersized chain saw, I saw sawdust going up and my sweat dripping down. My arms were numbed by the intense vibration and I really saw stars. I was hoping I could fast forward in time, and condense an hour of time into a minute. We had little idea that a little over one week after the ordeal our family was traveling deep into Canadian Rockies. We hiked among snow capped mountains decorated with lofty waterfalls, stopped by tranquil lakes surrounded by thick forests. We were like walking into a fairy land and really wanted to hit a pause button on the elapse of time, so we can enjoy the beautiful scene longer. Yet time seemed slipped faster than normal, and the setting sun became our everyday enemy. Once we were held back by the sightseeing by the time we returned to hotel, it was well past midnight.


We are so helpless in controlling time of our lives, as it is written, a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; (Eccl. 3:4 ESV) We have no control of when we can have some good time and when we would suffer, as both are determined by God. God makes us busy with these businesses so that we may understand He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Eccl. 3:11 ESV) By everything it includes both good and evil, but how can evil things in life become beautiful? The answer lies in the fact that God has put eternity into man’s heart. (Eccl. 3:11 ESV) Without this perspective of eternity, when evil things arrive, we can only comfort ourselves with stories about blessings in disguise.


Where are we looking for that eternity in man’s heart? Again, the preacher says, Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (Eccl. 4:9-10 ESV) Therefore whatever man encounters in life, good or evil, could be transformed by the presence of a company! Cutting down a tree alone is a curse, but doing it with your family may become a blessing. When you see the most beautiful scenery alone, you would feel a loss for not being able to share the joy, but seeing it with your family, your joy would be complete. Through all the ups and downs in life, you would appreciate the sweetness of companionship, and the wonder of love. In fact, the harder your life is, the sweeter the love you may taste. You may even come to realize that Love never ends.  (1 Cor. 13:8 ESV) Eternity lies in the relationship of your heart.


By circling around the Sun, the Earth produces four seasons as it passes through different spots on the ecliptic circle. Likewise, we experience ups and downs because God controls our life orbit. The more we experience the different seasons of human love, the more we are yearning for an unchangeable relationship. When the Son of God was hanging on the cross, He said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Lk. 23:34 ESV) What Jesus offered is to reestablish an eternal relationship. When one’s inner thirst is in tune with the calling of Christ, he would immediately feel an irresistible draw of centripetal force, this is the centripetal force of love, unattenuated for thousands of years, for God is Love.

Prayer: O Lord! Thank you for drawing us with your great love! May your love fill our heart that we may beat the centrifugal force of sin and draw closer to you day by day! May we have a helpless crush on you!