Evendays

Yesterday, I got to attend a class in Time Management and Organization. I’d been bugging a consultant friend to let me follow his course (for free), given to civil servants from around Lausanne. He not only let me come (this time), but wants me to teach it (next time).

Great advice was given, lots of strategies debated and problems discussed. Many folks have extremely tough work environments, even in the public service.

During the lunch break, being somewhat on my own, I began thinking of Jesus’ teaching on managing difficult times and situations. His advice, his order, “Do not worry” would sound pretentious, even lacking sympathy, if put on the lips of anyone else. But as the Son of God, Jesus not only challenges but also comforts, revealing that faith in the One who feeds the sparrow and clothes the lilies will energize life, especially in times such as these.

One day we will be on the other side of all this stuff and the question will not be so much what we did financially to get through it, but rather did we seek his reign? Did we search for his righteousness? Did we continue to live generous lives of solidarity with others and trust in the Father?

And the answer will be: Of course we did. What else could we do? He takes care of us.

Would you like to know your future?

If you knew it, would you be tempted to change it?

I know I would. Which probably means that (and this is silly since it can’t happen) that I shouldn’t know the future for the future belongs to Someone who is big enough to handle it. I can barely manage my present, let alone my future!

The desire to manage what lies outside my reach causes nothing but grief. And even if it were in my reach (by use of fortune tellers, divination and the like) I would still be called to give that future to God. That would be a step of faith. Knowing that he has something good planned for his creation, and for me, is a sign of hope. Taking advantage of the present, living as I have received from God, is an expression of love.

Faith, hope and love.