The day had started like any other day, except for the television being on at 6:30 am for the royal wedding playback on the dvr. My wife has British roots from her mother's side, so this was a special day for her. It was a special day for many. I think I read somewhere that over one million people had lined the streets of London. Wow! It was without a doubt a celebratory day. But not for everyone.
I checked a few sites before I left the house and I soon found myself praying for a friend who had posted a rather bitter comment on a very popular social networking site. This friend, whom I have not really spoken with in too long, had also celebrated a wedding day so many years ago. His joyous day however did not culminate in the fairy tale ' happily ever after' that a many a girl, young or less young, was dreaming about today. My friend thought he had found his princess and his happily-ever-after, but alas, he no longer felt like a prince at all.
The bitterness I saw in my friend's heart really affected me. I got morose thinking about all of those that had loved and lost. All those whose happily-ever-after ended in either hatred, disappointment, or bitterness. Lives that have been temporarily ruined by adultery, alcoholism, neglect or a life-ending tragedy. You may disagree with my use of "temporarily" here, but I'll explain why I think of it that way later. My thoughts however did not end there.
Soon I was thinking about all of the poor, the hungry, and the homeless in our world. I was wondering how any two people could demand such extravagance for themselves when so many others can't feed their children. Sadness turned into irritation. I wanted to shake the whole world collectively and ask, "What is the matter with us?" My mind flashed back to the Super Bowl a few months ago in Dallas, TX. The Oscars a week our so after that in Hollywood, CA. We have an uncanny ability to spend millions in time, money, and resources for things that ultimately have zero value. I was back to sadness again.
I want to say to everyone reading this and shaking their head in agreement because they too felt bitter or angry or jealous: We do not have to continue living as victims to the evil ruler of this world. The enemy wants us to remain so entirely focused on our own plights and problems that we convince ourselves that we couldn't possibly help anyone else. We allow ourselves to become angry or bitter because of our surrounding circumstances instead of remaining joyous and loving in God's truth. That truth, or at least a part of it, is two fold:
First, you can still be a prince or princess! By accepting Jesus as king of our lives, we become His children - we become members of the one and only truly royal family. We become adopted sons and daughters to the Most High God and thereby adopted brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ. Let me tell you, that is a pretty good family to be in!
Second, as bad as things are in the world right now it doesn't have to be as difficult as we make it. Stand in unison with those around you: your family, friends and neighbors - be there for one another; do life together with them and ease the burdens facing us all. This unity is how we were made to live.
In spite of spending the day feeling heavy hearted, I am pleased that I experienced the day that I had. I learned some very important things about myself. I am happy for William and Kate, I lift their union up to God for His blessing, and I humbly ask for their forgiveness. Forgiveness for my judgment of them for what I deemed as extravagance. I see now that it was not only about two people trying to enjoy their life to the fullest; it was also about an entire nation coming together in a joyous celebration for one day.
I checked a few sites before I left the house and I soon found myself praying for a friend who had posted a rather bitter comment on a very popular social networking site. This friend, whom I have not really spoken with in too long, had also celebrated a wedding day so many years ago. His joyous day however did not culminate in the fairy tale ' happily ever after' that a many a girl, young or less young, was dreaming about today. My friend thought he had found his princess and his happily-ever-after, but alas, he no longer felt like a prince at all.
The bitterness I saw in my friend's heart really affected me. I got morose thinking about all of those that had loved and lost. All those whose happily-ever-after ended in either hatred, disappointment, or bitterness. Lives that have been temporarily ruined by adultery, alcoholism, neglect or a life-ending tragedy. You may disagree with my use of "temporarily" here, but I'll explain why I think of it that way later. My thoughts however did not end there.
Soon I was thinking about all of the poor, the hungry, and the homeless in our world. I was wondering how any two people could demand such extravagance for themselves when so many others can't feed their children. Sadness turned into irritation. I wanted to shake the whole world collectively and ask, "What is the matter with us?" My mind flashed back to the Super Bowl a few months ago in Dallas, TX. The Oscars a week our so after that in Hollywood, CA. We have an uncanny ability to spend millions in time, money, and resources for things that ultimately have zero value. I was back to sadness again.
I want to say to everyone reading this and shaking their head in agreement because they too felt bitter or angry or jealous: We do not have to continue living as victims to the evil ruler of this world. The enemy wants us to remain so entirely focused on our own plights and problems that we convince ourselves that we couldn't possibly help anyone else. We allow ourselves to become angry or bitter because of our surrounding circumstances instead of remaining joyous and loving in God's truth. That truth, or at least a part of it, is two fold:
First, you can still be a prince or princess! By accepting Jesus as king of our lives, we become His children - we become members of the one and only truly royal family. We become adopted sons and daughters to the Most High God and thereby adopted brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ. Let me tell you, that is a pretty good family to be in!
Second, as bad as things are in the world right now it doesn't have to be as difficult as we make it. Stand in unison with those around you: your family, friends and neighbors - be there for one another; do life together with them and ease the burdens facing us all. This unity is how we were made to live.
In spite of spending the day feeling heavy hearted, I am pleased that I experienced the day that I had. I learned some very important things about myself. I am happy for William and Kate, I lift their union up to God for His blessing, and I humbly ask for their forgiveness. Forgiveness for my judgment of them for what I deemed as extravagance. I see now that it was not only about two people trying to enjoy their life to the fullest; it was also about an entire nation coming together in a joyous celebration for one day.
I will end my day smiling because I know in my heart that a change is coming, it has to - would you like to be a part of it?
YIC,
Mykalus
YIC,
Mykalus
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