“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
― William Shakespeare, As You Like It
JEREMIAH 5-6
JOURNAL
Over the last couple of days, I have been fighting off a little virus, and this morning I am feeling much better. Even that is an incredible reminder of the miracle of these bodies God has given us. Without any conscious effort on my part, my body has been working to identify an infection, fight it off, and restore itself. What an extraordinary gift that we so often take for granted. Even while feeling a little under the weather, I have been able to walk, laugh, experience new things, and enjoy time with the people I love. There is something remarkable about recognizing that God has designed our bodies not simply to survive, but to heal, recover, and allow us to continue experiencing the miracle of life.
I love the humility of Paul and his recognition that everything he had become was the result of God's mercy and grace. Despite losing his position in society and facing constant threats to his life, he never lost sight of what mattered most. He understood that the ultimate destination was not found in the circumstances of his life but in his relationship with Christ. That is the ancient path Jeremiah speaks of, the path that leads to rest for our souls. It is not necessarily the easiest path, but it is the one that leads us back to God.
I think one of the great weaknesses of human nature is our tendency to seek the path of least resistance. We naturally gravitate toward comfort, convenience, and whatever seems easiest in the moment. I have come to recognize that so many of my choices can be reduced to two responses: engaging or withdrawing. Too often, I am tempted to withdraw from the very things that require the most of me, while readily engaging in the things that offer immediate comfort or pleasure. Even my tendency to neglect my devotions while on vacation is a small example of this. It is easier to become absorbed in the experiences of the day than to intentionally make time to connect with the God who has made those experiences possible.
I am reminded of the Seinfeld episode where George Costanza decides to do the opposite of everything his instincts tell him to do. While life certainly isn't that simple, there is some wisdom in recognizing that my immediate inclinations are not always leading me in the direction I truly want to go. Sometimes the very thing I am most tempted to avoid is exactly what I need to embrace. The ancient path requires intention, discipline, and a willingness to surrender my own understanding in favor of God's wisdom.
But I am also reminded that walking with God is not simply about choosing the harder path. It is about choosing His path. Sometimes that means working harder, sometimes it means resting, and sometimes it means simply being present enough to recognize the blessings already surrounding me. Perhaps that is the lesson I need most today. I don't have to accomplish something extraordinary to make this final day meaningful. I simply need to be fully present, grateful, and open to God's presence in every moment.
We have one more day here, and I want to make the most of it. Not by trying to squeeze every possible experience into the hours remaining, but by appreciating the gift of the hours themselves. The laughter, the conversations, the sights and sounds, the people I love, and even the remarkable ability of my body to recover are all reminders of God's goodness. I don't want to become so consumed with experiencing life that I forget to recognize the One who gives it.
GALATIANS 2:20
