A New Life
Sunday, a friend and I were chatting before class began. Preparing that week for teaching a class of adults had been particularly challenging. I was feeling a bit discouraged as the passage from Mark 12:35-37 was causing my brain to scream. Despite reviewing five various reference materials and checking in with a minister, I still felt I was walking on newly poured concrete. I just knew I would get bogged down during the discussion and/or make an inaccurate interpretation of God’s Word. To the short of it, I was worried.
Our conversation continued. “You know, Don, sometimes I think if I had it all to do over, I would make a different choice for my life occupation. Maybe teaching just wasn’t the best fit for me.”
His return comments caught me off guard as he replied. “You know, Kathy, you are good at asking questions of people. Perhaps you should have gone into the news business.
I blinked internally, caught my breath, smiled, and wondered if he might be right. Memories dashed across my brain. Opportunities to speak publicly and/or interview people umpteen times produced smiling moments in my life. Past radio and TV interviews brought rich memories of when I had helped raise funds for various situations. International professional meetings to small gatherings of adults provided many chances to think on my feet as I attempted to help guests share their knowledge and ideas with our listeners. Yes, I did/do love to query others in order to learn. Hmm!!!
That day, I repeated the conversation several times in my head. As an 89-year-old, I’m certainly not returning to college for a degree in public communications. One can wonder, however, how life might have changed with a new focus.
While mulling over this new “dream” of peppering questions to local or international public figures crafted to unfold the mysteries of the day, a smile appeared. My eyes twinkled with excitement. What fun, but . . . I/we each have a command from the Lord to spread the Word of God to others. The Master wants to help each of us begin a new life with Him.
Paul is so explicit with his instructions for people seeking a changed life. Check out Ephesians 4:17-32. Verses 22-24 are right on. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
No college degree is required to turn your life focus in another direction. You don’t even have to scour the want ads for a new job. Changes in our life, however, are imperative. Paul told the Ephesians they must throw away their old way of life. Sometimes that is as difficult as throwing away a favorite garment, even though you inadvertently spilled a bottle of ink on the front.
The author shares one tough example in vs 26. “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” This is a tough item for me, a challenge with which I struggle almost daily. I expect, though, that if I were to change my career from teaching to news media involvement, there would be moments of my teaching skills invading my new occupation.
Today Paul, the apostle, and Kathy, the white-haired one, encourage each reader to take a quick inventory of your life. Do you have actions and attitudes that do not reflect God’s urgent message of love, kindness, and caring for Our Father, the Lord Everlasting as well as of others? If yes, then now is the time to change directions and begin anew.
Remember, however, that He, the Lord Almighty, will be there to help you. Begin Today to Adjust Your Actions and Thoughts. Be a New Person. But also reach out and Hang Onto His Hand.
Kathryn Ransom 