Into the Fire

Sometimes I marvel at how unimportant we are in the big picture. When we blog, we have our loyal friends, we have our once in a blue moon drop-ins, we have our seasonal stop-bys, we have our “Oops, why am I here?” fleeting drive-bys, and we have our occasional visitors. Some remain anonymous. Lurkers. One time commenter. Once in awhile something-to-say people. And if you’re a blogger, you look forward to each one. That is unless you’re insanely popular and don’t have time to even read all the comments.

Summertime and attendance drops. Interest wanes in pursuit of outdoorsy activities, vacations, entertainment, and the need to escape the confines of computer access.

Those of us sensitive types—make that over-sensitive types—see the decline and figure we have become uninteresting . . . again or still. Never one to give up, we press on with our drivel and our efforts at reviewing the books we’ve signed on to read and some that we haven’t but wanted to share. The only time it kind of matters that there are no responses is when I read a novel that warrants attention, i.e. Zora and Nicky for one, Perfect for another. Feedback makes it feel worthwhile.

The opinions I present here are not going to matter a whole lot in the big picture. They might resonate with a few of you, but they might not, too. I’ve read a lot of opinions on the blogs of professionals that ring hollow to me, so in the story of life one has to decide what is important to use and apply or at least consider. It is our choice, our decision.

I have seen some imbalance at various places I visit, so I try to take another view of some things which have been stated as directives or “laws”. Ultimately it’s up to each of us to figure out what has value in our individual pursuits.

While I believe in the importance of writing novels, I know the most important part about the endeavor is being yielded to God. If we consider our life efforts—the ones which directly affect those around us—we will understand how much obedience is involved. In order to love effectively and produce its byproduct, we must submit to Love. Since God is love, learning the reality of the fullness of this astounding Creator is no simple task. Our perceptions of His intentions are often untrue. We think we have things wired for sound and ready to plug in when we discover our plans are of our own making. And if we think our plans are vital to our success in this life, we shall receive our come-uppance which really should be our come-downance one would think.

There are no important plans outside of God’s will for our lives. Jesus gave everything, releasing His brief life on earth in an outrageous death to provide for the privilege of salvation we can easily embrace. I say “easily” because to give back our lives to Him is certainly easy compared to daily taking up the cross and making the sacrifice to remain faithful. A worthy and noble sacrifice to be sure but not an easy one for us sin-plagued, self-centered human beings.

Lest we get too zoned in on our own efforts, marvel with me if you dare on how narrow our little piece of time is on planet earth. Yes, we are important to the Lord, thank God! Yes, He is intricately involved in our everyday lives when we allow Him to be. Yes, He treasures every act of obedience and values what we do from the smallest to the largest activities when He is at the center of them. He wants the best for us, but that best can only come through Him. If it doesn’t come through Him, no matter how glossy, how rich, how seemingly grand it all is, it’s chaff. Chaff that the wind blows away. Chaff that is burned at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Meaningless. A waste of valuable and limited time. Wow. Marvel at that.

Father, our lives are but a breath. As we submit them to you, we ask that you build our legacy of giving glory to you, honoring you, and worshipping you in Spirit and in Truth. Apart from you, we can do nothing. Help us always to remember that and live accordingly. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.