I am currently in a Bible study that is reflecting on what God is doing in our journey on earth. It’s a beautiful notion that God is working in the painful and beautiful aspects of our lives to bring about His goodwill on earth.

One of the exercises asked us to divide how old we are by five and to consider each span of life, the highs and lows, the mentors and friends, the people or events that we consider antagonists or protagonists, as well as the lessons that we learned in each of these segments of life.

As I connect themes between these years, the painful and the joyous times of life, I am struck by a pattern that speaks to me. The pattern is the surprise life offers.

I am struck by how life unfolds with such uncertainty, enigma, and wonder. Perhaps growing up dedicated to smart goals or intentional planning, I am bewildered by unique turns, and twists of life have been some of the best educators. They remind me of life’s fragility. They teach me I am not God. I am not in control and illusions of control are merely temptations or addiction.

I find the more I embed myself in certain outcomes, basing my internal happiness on these external fulfillments, the more unhappy I become. Instead, the more I trust in good conclusions while I focus on developing the inner disciplines of gratitude, serenity, generosity, and patience, the more the external moments open to something God appointed rather than self-imagined.

Faith as absolute devotion to God and hope with thanksgiving as the foundation of faith.

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” – Jeremiah 31:3

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