WAIT, WATCH AND SEE

Introduction

In David Brook's book, The Second Mountain, he identifies two mountains in the lives of most people: 1) the climb to the top of a career and 2) accomplishing the true meaning of life (my words). Some book authors have stated life is simply learning, earning and retirement. Others have simplified our life journey simply as "we live and then we die!"

I believe many of us have planned and sought our purpose in life diligently. Others have sought simply to keep learning, professionally and personally. Still more have adopted the old song's chorus, "whatever will be, will be." 

Our Journey

I'm sure we all have friends that have found their destiny relatively early in their lives. Some found their destiny later, and some not at all. Some of us are still waiting! Our prayer may have been, "But God, I've waited nearly 40 years to see my purpose in life fulfilled." "You said......." Whether we are Christian, another religion or no religion, the answer to this question is likely to be the same: Wait, Watch and See!

Like a road trip, the effectiveness of our planning will give us "reasonable assurance" (not absolute) of achieving out destination. Our vehicle can break down or there can be accidents. Driving over a mountain pass in southern Colorado late one night, a flurry of miller moths hit my windshield and I didn't see that deer jump in front of me. I had a great car, I was wide awake and enjoying the drive, but I didn't reach my destination as planned. Roadblocks such as nature, other people, events, failures and successes occur along the way!

Making Our Way

This is not a promotion for Christianity or any other religion. This is a focus on the things we carry in our hearts. To illustrate, I'll tell you a story of my friend Steve. What Steve wanted most was to help other people. He was the "give you the shirt off his back" kind of person. In managing some rental properties, he'd help some of the tenants with critical needs. A single mom needed a washing machine; Steve would buy it out of his own pocket. When someone experienced a burst water pipe, furnace failure or electrical outage at 2 AM, Steve would be there to help. Go to any restaurant in our community for lunch with Steve and he'd stop four or five times on the way to a table to pat someone on the back or say a kind word. Most everyone knew Steve!

Steve wasn't a religious man, but he is a good man. He truly considered himself less than other people. He is a humble man. If he had some money and you had a need, Steve would give you what he had; he is a generous man. If you needed physical assistance, Steve would try to help you; he is a compassionate man.

The End of the Journey

Recently, some 30 years later actually, I met Steve for lunch for lunch in our favorite restaurant. He spoke to several people on the way to our table and, when we were seated, the owner of the restaurant came to greet him by name. Steve was still laughing and smiling, loving people! He shared that while he was not a wealthy man, he had more than adequate provision for his retirement years. Not only monetary provision became his, but he was experiencing great peace and joy in life! I don't know for sure, but Steve probably met Jesus Christ somewhere along his journey! Steve is likely is at the top of his "second mountain!" 

What we receive in life is measured by what we give! It's not what we do, but who we are that counts in the end! Wait for God's timing as you love and serve others. Watch patiently for what God will do to use your life experiences to bless others. Then you will see your destiny taking shape, the top of your second mountain!

ARE WE TO BE AUTOMATONS?

Definition of an Automaton

From the Oxford Languages Dictionary:

• A moving mechanical device made in imitation of a human being.
• A machine that performs a function according to a predetermined set of coded instructions, especially one capable of a range of programmed responses to different circumstances.
• Used in similes and comparisons to refer to a person who seems to act in a mechanical or unemotional way.

The "Seven Mountains" Theory

In some Christian circles, these mountains represent key sectors of society where people believe Christians should have influence. My purpose in this post is NOT to support the desire of some leaders to see Christian dominance of these sectors in the world. My purpose is the opposite. It is to show how each of these sectors attempt to make you and I "automatons," and to focus instead on God's plan for unity with diversity in all areas of our lives.

The Sectors of the World

Obviously, some regulation and uniformity are necessary for a society, a group, a community or a culture to function harmoniously and productively. As we consider these different sectors, our success in living in them has to be based on our ability to uniquely contribute to the well-being of others. This could be in many ways, such as financially, educationally, emotionally or spiritually. Probably among many others, these sectors include:

1. Family
2. Religion
3. Education
4. Government (and politics)
5. Media
6. Arts and entertainment
7. Business

Being an old accountant, I like to go to the "bottom line.". Here, based on the seven-mountain theory and our lives in each of these sectors, the objective of leaders in each sector is often to homogenate the behavior of sector participants, to make us "automatons!" Here are a few timely examples of where we may be expected to be the same.

Religion

The sellers of religion promote unity as uniformity. While the Bible emphasizes unity it does not require uniformity in the beliefs and behaviors of constituents. Christian nationalism, as I understand it, wants everyone to be the same, following the biblical interpretations of its promoters, becoming "clones" actually. From the beginning, God's will is expressed in Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." A footnote in the Spirit Filled Life Bible states: "In the way he should go is to do the training according to the unique personality, gifts, and aspirations of the child." Not uniformity! Diversity!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the New Covenant, calls believers to unity, oneness (John 17:21), in their believing in Jesus. The Holy Spirit has, however, given all believers different functions, or gifts (Romans 12:4). Unity with diversity!

Religious organizations apply scripture in their "body" and shirk unity with any others that have different beliefs, or statements of faith. This is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Government and Politics

Unfortunately, in recent years we have seen political influence become the approach to government. The attempt by leaders to conform the population to political beliefs of a party, faction or individual has been the way of government for decades. We have even seen the "church" operate increasingly in the "world's" way. The gospel of politics and government has become that "the end is justified by the means." Sadly, those "means" have become nepharious. Hating, judging, lying, threatening, bullying at the expense of everyone different than us has become tolerated, even accepted, as a way of life. This is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

The Foundation of Unity with Diversity

Two questions are before us. Who is Jesus? Who are we? Simple answers: Jesus is The Son of the Living God. Jesus was sent by Father God to pay the price for the sins of mankind. We are the workmanship of God as we are born again in Jesus. We are called to be like Him, loving God and people. We can be transformed by believing in Him and seeking to live like Him through the help of the Holy Spirit. 

We can only become one with others by revelation of who Jesus is, and in committing to God's purpose for Him. Loving, accepting and supporting our "neighbors," no matter who they are, what they have done or what they believe is the beginning of our becoming like Jesus Christ. Joining with other believers in a community of believers with like hearts centered on Jesus Christ, accepting our differences, and helping one another to grow into Christ's likeness can be the only foundation for experiencing unity with diversity! The answer to the question in this blog's title is no, God's plan in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not for us to be automatons!