Weekly Thought – March 29, 2022
Fred considered himself a realist. He read an account of POWs by a survivor. The author remarked that the optimists were the first to succumb, the pessimists came next, and the majority of those who made it were realists. Fred emphasized the necessity of “keeping current” and aware of what is, not what one wished it to be.
Keep An Eye on the Rainbow
A young preacher pastoring his first church in a Northern mill town told of his conversation of the mill owner. “Young man, you have not seen me in church and you will not until my funeral. I own this town as well as the mill. This is my pot of gold. When I came here as an immigrant I heard that in America there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I found the gold, young man, but I lost the rainbow.” He didn’t have to lose it, but he did. Life is never a mandatory choice between the rainbow and the gold.
After speaking to a conference of Canadian corporate presidents, a group of us sat around discussing personal success and how to define it. One president’s contribution stays with me: “I would like to live rich as well as die rich.” He learned how to keep the rainbow and the pot of gold.
The rainbow, from its inception, has been the symbol of hope – the promise of ultimate victory and the relatedness with the eternal and divine. I hope you will live and die rich, but if you have to choose – live rich with hope, joy, and promise.
Recently, a restless friend said, “I feel a lack of joy in my life. I wonder if it is worth it.” He appeared passive and almost numb to life. He seemed to be acted upon by circumstances, pressured by events, and absorbing the pessimism of the joyless. He failed to possess the courage to take charge of his life and attitudes.
I often speak of “joy for the journey.” I am not talking about surface happiness which comes like the wind without knowing where or why. Joy is more than fortuitous circumstances. Joy is effectively activated when life is a struggle. Joy is the deep adequacy, the determined will to survive… that faith to believe “all things work together for good.”
Oftentimes I read of “secrets” of joy but actually there are none which people hunted and found like Easter eggs. No effervescent books, or esoteric cults can provide true, lasting joy. Joy is a result. It is a reward for life’s being well spent in hopefulness. It truly brings the pot of gold by following the rainbow. Joy is not measured in dollars and cents, but in a life well lived.
This week think about: 1) How would I describe my balance between pot of gold and rainbow? 2) What gives me joy? 3) Who am I influencing in making choices for a rich life?
Words of Wisdom: “Joy is the deep adequacy, the determined will to survive…that faith to believe all things work together for good.”
Wisdom from the Word: “And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith.” (Philippians 1:25 NET Bible)