A.W. nails it once again.
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever
state I am, to be content.
–Philippians 4:11This idea was once expressed better by a simple-hearted man who was
asked how he managed to live in such a state of constant
tranquility even though surrounded by circumstances anything but
pleasant. His answer was as profound as it was simple: “I have
learned,” he said, “to cooperate with the inevitable.”…Though we cannot control the universe, we can determine our
attitude toward it. We can accept God’s will wherever it is
expressed and take toward it an attitude of worshipful
resignation. If my will is to do God’s will, then there will be no
controversy with anything that comes in the course of my daily
walk. Inclement weather, unpleasant neighbors, physical handicaps,
adverse political conditions–all these will be accepted as God’s
will for the time and surrendered to provisionally, subject to
such alterations as God may see fit to make, either by His own
sovereign providence or in answer to believing prayer.
Born After Midnight, pp. 64-65
Can you say,”walk all over me?” Unh-unh-uh, if that doesn’t hit me right between the eyes, I don’t know what does. And yet, I’m learning that it is so much easier indeed to ‘cooperate with the inevitable’; I mean, seriously, what else is there to do? So go with it. This Christmas season was our poorest, financially-speaking, Christmas ever, but you know what? Not once did I have to deal with crowded malls, full parking lots, rude people, cranky cashiers, pick-pockets, and all the other assorted ‘joys’ of a prosperous Christmas season. And do you think I missed anything?
This may become a new slogan for me - cooperate with the inevitable.
Grace and Peace.
Posted on December 27th, 2004 by Paul
Filed under: What I'm Thinking
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