Pratt: Often, we overlook our human possibilities
When my fruity phone aged out a few months ago, I really hoped for a simpler granny-friendly variety with fewer bells and whistles delivered with a booklet of printed instructions suited to my vocabulary.
It didn't happen. Also, my laptop is being sabotaged with “updates” it can no longer accept because those who profit from constant change make it impossible in a similar manner.
If this sounds to you the reader like a familiar experience, we probably share some important experience in common, aging perhaps?
Unfortunately, it seems those out-of-date habits that include showing respect for your elders are fast disappearing as well. To be fair, I must admit that the disrespect sometimes is also present in elders themselves.
On the rare occasion that my brain cooperates and engages in serious, honest thought, the awareness arises. Then I recall my own tendencies from teens forward that often disdained the advice of parents, teachers, etc.
So, just maybe our rebellion against change should at least pause to listen and evaluate before we go into a tantrum. And I promise that today's favorable attitude of choice includes no mention of my opinion about the disastrous state of political maneuvering in our political scene.
Instead, I will reference a commentary on an ancient story from a book titled “Overcomer” (c2018) by the Rev. Dr. David Jeremiah. If you will make time to read only the first of the book's 10 chapters, your hope can be restored but I doubt you will stop there. However, be sure not to skip the book prologue.
Most of you know something of the David and Goliath story, but it is entirely possible we miss the essence of power within our grasp when we get the vision. Often, we overlook our human possibilities.
Be sure to read the two final chapters as well, “Overcoming Everything with Prayer” and “Overcoming Death with Life.”
Yes, I've read it before, and the Bible stories he references, but more and more in today's environment, I need — forgive me — another “booster shot.”
It's not an “age” thing, but a reminder about God's provision and intentions regarding those who choose to place themselves within his care and purpose.
We grow helpless when we forget our place in a kingdom not made with human hands, but filled with the mystery of our existence. God invites us to cherish each moment.
We are to so live that we may continue in an Eternity with the sages, the prophets, priests and all who serve the Creator of life itself.
Humanity is imbued with a divine spark of kinship that makes possible our salvation through the sacrifice of the Son, known on Earth and throughout the Universe as Jesus, the one who paid the ultimate cost of our Redemption and readiness for Heaven.
As a youngster, I recall gazing at the star-studded vault overhead in wonder at the secrets hidden from our view. Even with the help of the small telescope my father propped on a fence to steady so we could see a more close-up view of moon and planets, the heavens spoke of mystery and majesty.
Dad's love and respect for God is the wealth which he brought to his children. It was not monetary but included his great desire to know more about how the miracles of Creation were spoken into being.
Mother, the daughter and granddaughter of Gospel ministers, concentrated on teaching us to behave. Their lives, lived according to their faith, is the best gift we ever received. And thus we were blessed with something greater than gold, the eternal gift of being.
Beth Pratt retired as religion editor from the Avalanche-Journal after 25 years. You can email her at beth.pratt@cheerful.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Pratt: Often, we overlook our human possibilities
