Posted by
peripheral on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 5:42:15 AM
From My Perspective - - -
The scene is repeated over and over – Baccalaureate and Commencement
exercises. Four years of study and effort has drawn to a conclusion.
Another generation stands on a threshold – either further studies or
entering a profession of choice. Is there a meaningful choice on the
immediate horizon? Are there career opportunities for this graduating
class? All of their goals and aspirations – will they find a place
where they can and will be fulfilled? Or – will they be met by
indifference and become dismayed and disillusioned by an uncertain
market-place? In an article – Celebrity College Dropouts – The Daily
Caller inserts these words: “This week, many students will receive
diplomas after toiling away for four years at college. While they’ll
ride a transient, euphoric wave of accomplishment, graduates will soon
enter a job market that could care less about their higher education.
Meanwhile, a portion of the country’s wealthiest will go about business
as usual, impervious to the wants of the recent college graduate. They,
unlike the students mentioned, never attended college and were never
affected by a market that particularly cared about their education.”
In the general milieu (an environment or setting) of the Nation, is
there any possibility or opportunity that is free from duplicity and
disillusionment? In a column appearing in One News Now on May 17, 2010
– Peter Heck wrote: “At this year's National Prayer Breakfast,
President Obama chided Republicans and Democrats to not contaminate our
political discussions with smears and slander. Civility is not a sign
of weakness, he said. At times, it seems like we are unable to listen
to one another, to have at once a serious and civil debate. This
erosion of civility in the public square sows division and cynicism
among our citizens. It poisons the well of public opinion…If we choose
only to expose ourselves to opinions and viewpoints that are in line
with our own, studies suggest that we will become more polarized, more
set in our ways. But if we choose to actively seek out information that
challenges our assumptions and our beliefs, perhaps we can begin to
understand where the people who disagree with us are coming from…At the
prayer breakfast, President Obama lamented: "We become absorbed with
our abstract arguments, our ideological disputes, our contests for
power. And in this Tower of Babel, we lose the sound of God's voice. If
the president truly seeks to encourage Americans to find their inner
angels, my humble suggestion would be for him to try leading by
example. This was said following his first year and a half in office in
which he attempted to shun an entire news agency because they dared
question him, demonized Rush Limbaugh, attempted to cut Fox News from
the White House press pool, and had members of his staff orchestrating
boycotts against cultural commentators who oppose his policies. Is this
what seeking out information that challenges our assumptions means?"
It is essential to maintain one’s Spiritual moorings (elements
providing stability or security) in the midst of duplicity and
disillusionment. If the spiritual moorings are maintained, and if there
is commitment in a viable relationship with the Lord, then the words of
Isaiah 50:4-7 will encourage and give confidence: “The Sovereign Lord
has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the
weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like
one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not
been rebellious; I have not drawn back…Because the Sovereign Lord helps
me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.” The NLT states verse 7:
“Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will.
And I know that I will triumph.” Will it require effort and
perseverance? Yes! Will there be challenges and difficulties? Yes! Will
there be steep hills to climb along the way? Yes! It is important that
one never take his/her eye off of the goal or waver in terms of
commitment! Moses had his Red Sea - Esther had her “if I perish, I
perish” moment - Daniel had his Lion’s Den - his three friends had
their Fiery Furnace - Jonah had the Whale - Jesus Christ had The Cross!
In our lives, we must learn to differentiate between mountains and
bumps in the road. Never make mountains out of mole hills! Never focus
on the circumstances and happenings – stay focused on the Sovereign
Lord Who continues to be more than sufficient for all of your need!
Consider these things with me!