You’re aware of that feeling some have when they are a child. That feeling that says life will be so much better as soon as they grow up and can do what grown ups do.
You’re also aware of that feeling that parents get seeing their children play around with little to no responsibilities and often they have a tinge of jealousy at such carefree living. Then of course there’s the stage of maturity where the physical limitations leaves someone wistfully reflecting and sharing with those who will hear what it was like to be old enough to be responsible but young enough to be able to accomplish great feats.
It’s almost as if there’s never a stage of life where we will be content and the older we get, the greater the likelihood that there will always be something to look back on in whimsical desire.
I mention all that, because today I was listening to an Andrae Crouch called Living This Kind Of Life. The sentiments of the song were similar to those of older gospel tunes that say living for Jesus gets sweeter as the days go by. I was thinking on that and contrasting that with those feelings we associate at various stages in life. It doesn’t quite fit.
I was left wondering does life with Jesus really get sweeter as the days go by. Are those sour faces on some people’s faces (people in church I hasten to add) really the expression of Jesus getting sweeter as the days go by? Is hearing references made to how bad things have got, how difficult things are now for children growing up in this day and age and how things were better back in the day truly a marvellous expression of how much Jesus has become sweeter?
Does it work in the way that the worse the world is, the sweeter Jesus is? Does that fit in with the desire to leave this world behind to be with Jesus? If so it is a bit … weird.
I must confess there are times in the day, week, month and year when it sure doesn’t feel sweeter. It feels more bitter, if I am honest with you. Yet it’s in those times of honestly sharing this perspective in prayerful conversation that Jesus asks that critical question – “Did you know me as much then as you do now?”
When I consider the answer to that question and how much deeper my relationship becomes sometimes exactly because of the challenges that bring out his character, I admit to Him I know Him more now and I am glad to know Him. On further consideration about who He is and how amazing His character is it emerges that it really does get sweeter. His grace really is sufficient in my weakness. His tenderness is evident in the rough storms of life. His developing rebukes do at the very least builds my confidence in His ability to shape me in His image.
Do I glory in how much harder life is? Is it more fun the tougher the situation becomes? No. Does my view of Him magnify the one who is already exalted? It certainly does. Does my appreciation of His grace grow richer? I acknowledge it does and I am a better person for it.
It also then becomes incumbent to express this reality not in nostalgic wishes for yesteryear and wishing I lived back then. Rather that attitude of gratitude that for real, Jesus gets sweeter as the days go by.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 