The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot. Proverbs 10:7
Are you one of those people who tend to make all kinds of resolutions at the beginning of the year? Is that your time to recalculate and search for answers as to why things happened previously, but even more importantly, how you’re going to make a positive difference in the future?
I might be a little different. Ok, so my family might think that’s the understatement of the year but hear me out. Is it really the best time to evaluate your life right after what many would consider one of the most hectic and emotionally charged times of the year? Times like those can bring about good change or they can simply push you to make bad decisions.
When I take a deep a breath of salt air and get onto island time, then I’m able to take a good look at what I’m here for and where I’m to be going. I ask myself, “Is what I’m doing lined up with where I’m going?” That’s not always a fun thing to consider.
I was told that I needed to visit a lighthouse on this current quest. The answers I was searching for might be located there. Was it because there is some kind of magic that takes place in a lighthouse? Of course not! A lighthouse does help us see our surroundings from a new perspective though.
Did I find what I was looking for? I suppose in a way I did, thank you for asking. I prayed for my eyes to be open to see what I needed to see. When I first got there, I was able to extend kindness to a couple people who were there ready to climb to the top. My first lesson was that I could make a difference even while I was still at the bottom…at the beginning of a journey.
With my heart beating a little faster from climbing so many steps I realized lesson number two. Even though I was walking in circles, I was climbing tremendously high! The key to this lesson was to keep climbing while circling. See, we can still get somewhere even when we’re going in circles.
I reached the top and stepped out onto the landing to be startled by a volunteer stepping out from behind the door. He laughed and tried to assure me that he didn’t do that on purpose. His enjoyment of my surprise left me questioning the legitimacy of that statement. Lesson number three was to expect the unexpected. In life, God knows what’s behind every door. Instead of worrying about what’s next, I can be assured that’s His grace is big enough to cover the unexpected.
That volunteer and I discussed the beautiful view. What I thought I would see wasn’t the same as the reality of what was there. There’s been destruction of trees in the area, and I thought I’d see that devastation. What I saw was plenty of healthy forest that survived. There it was. That big lesson of climbing the lighthouse. It was all about rising higher and getting a new perspective. Lesson number four taught me that I don’t see the big picture when I see only the small area around myself.
After some insights about all the dead trees, I realized just how important diversification is to have a healthy ecosystem. That was lesson number five for me. This is the same with life. If I only surround myself with people just like me, everything may seem easy and great to start out, but give it some time and instead of a healthy and lush life, I could be surrounded with an area that doesn’t produce an environment for growth. I just might find myself amidst a big ol’ mess!
I thought I learned my lessons. Good trip to the lighthouse. Which one or ones were to help me understand what I’m here for and where I’m going though? If I looked at it from my new perspective, they all were pieces to the big picture. However, something was at the back of my mind that I was missing the main lesson.
I remember reading about there being holes in the lighthouse. They never really stuck out to me before. It wasn’t until they were highlighted that I paid any attention to them. They were there for ventilation to prevent condensation from building up inside. I had to think on this for a while.
Holes…holes…what did it all mean? Slowly a light came on. I’ve been feeling like I have holes in my life. When people see me, they don’t notice the holes at all, but they’re still there. It was just like the lighthouse!
I’ve had this feeling that something has been missing. Have I been trying to fill the holes because I thought they were a bad thing? The holes in the lighthouse were put there on purpose. Could my holes have a purpose? Maybe it wasn’t because I was defective and something was wrong with me! Maybe God put them there for a purpose.
If all the holes were sealed, what would happen? Would I find myself with dampness and mold inside? That wouldn’t be very healthy. I think I found my big lesson for the trip! I need to stop fearing the holes and start embracing that God knew what He was doing when He made me.
Those holes that I thought I should be ashamed just might end up being a blessing! Sometimes life isn’t all about the next thing to change. Sometimes it’s about accepting the holes in our lives. I was trying to fill something that would’ve started to create rot inside me.
Maybe some of the holes get filled eventually, and possibly new ones are even created. As long as there is a dedicated spot that remains for the Creator who knows how to keep me at my healthiest, I don’t need to worry about any holes in my life. God will work all the holes in my life for the good.
How about you? Have you been fretting about the holes in your life that nobody else sees? If so, isn’t it freeing to know that as long as God has filled the center of you, you can lighten up? Trust that He’ll take care of everything in His time. Oh, and if you’re trying to fill somebody else’s holes, you might want to stop that…pretty immediately. Just saying; it will only frustrate you and them.
I challenge you to be careful with how you’re trying to fill your holes. If it’s not through the righteousness of Jesus, you might start to see some rot starting to happen! He doesn’t need you to take over His job. Remember…ventilation to prevent condensation!
