When I Was Young
Now is Much Better
“Rocks and Trees” painted on a canvas bag by Myra Alibrando
Wisdom Had a Different Meaning
When I was a young Christian, doctrine was everything. I was quickly disenchanted with life in my late twenties probably because all the philosophical things I was so invested in were not working. My theories were wrong. My theology was wrong. Life was hard because God, the world, and all of life wasn't agreeing with what I expected to be right - which was wrong.
Young people are attracted to things that they are not attracted to when they are in their sixties.
When I was young I was attracted to idealistic things because that looked much faster than hard work. The truth has become discovering the more I press on toward what I observe as true and read the Bible, the better for me. That’s work. Applying myself to taking God's advice . . . life changed. Results changed. Values changed. Priorities changed. Habits changed. I changed, but not quickly.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4
That resolution in my early thirties was beginning to grow my integrity. This is the character God really wants in all of us.
Becoming Useful
By my late thirties I began to see the great value of character and integrity. God growing me into a godly man was more important than me getting what I wanted or being doctrinally correct. The beauty of this stage was that I was finally in complete agreement with God correcting me. I began to grow into something God might be able to use. It took decades.
We Are Not Throw-Away Tools
God doesn't fix us to use me or you. God heals and saves us because He genuinely loves us. He knows our name. He knows our thoughts and the motives of our thoughts. He sees what’s in our heart. What our Father desires is His children genuinely and thoroughly happy.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
Happiness and Selfishness are Incompatible
I am not licensing selfishness. I worked hard at making my selfishness OK in my early twenties and gave it religious clothing. When I abandoned God for more than 5 years, I pursued my selfishness without religion and that was equally a failure.
Happiness is impossible for anyone who doesn't care about others or only pretends to care.
God made us in His image and God is love. That is who we really are and must come to realize.
Identity Confidence-Who You Really Are
Uncertain or wrong identity is like a floating balloon drifting in the wind. Having a certainty of character aligned with truth is like a train with a great destination, if you stay on track.
The only way to find fulfillment starts with honesty and ends with identity condfidence.
When we live the way God designed us to live we find inner joy, inner peace, inner happiness. The reason I say "inner" is because that is deeper and invisible. We can see laughter. So many call laughter joy. I like laughing but it is different from joy, deep inner joy.
I remember in the 1960’s and 70’s, friends saying they had peace when they smoked marijuana, but when they weren't high, no peace. They needed more marijuana. That is not inner peace.
Fifty years ago, my frustration and emptiness lingered. Occasionally, emptiness was interrupted by laughter and some good feelings. My lingering pain was reinforced by my thoughts and philosophy. It was insecurity eased by joking around.
The peace that I have enjoyed these past 20 years seems progressively better. It is still progressing. I see my lingering peace lifestyle and can barely believe this is me.
Sure, I still get upset in traffic sometimes. I get angry at corruption and lying. I get frustrated when institutions find ways to take my money dishonestly, but those frustrations are interruptions of my lingering joy and peace.
I Don’t Want to Believe It, I Want It in Me
Digging deep, working hard, being flexible in achieving our values (including new revelations) is worth it. Many, many other things I have worked hard to achieve ended up in failure and disappointment. God and His Word are not in that list.
As I've said publicly through microphones: I don't want to preach on joy. I want to have it.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Just thought I'd share this with you. Have a meaningful week.
I absolutely agree with everything you shared in your article. It's incredible how our perspective and priorities shift as we grow older and deepen our relationship with God. I, too, have experienced the peace and joy that comes from aligning my life with His will and seeking to grow in character and integrity. It's a continuous journey of growth and transformation that brings true fulfillment.
In my own life, I've found that by consistently seeking God's guidance and following His Word, I have been able to experience a deeper sense of inner peace and joy, even in the midst of challenges and frustrations. It's a daily choice to renew my mind and align my actions with His will, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insight in this article. 😊🙏