HOW THE STORY ENDS
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“Oh man, I had such a great session on Friday”! Chris said, genuinely excited about the thrill of training in martial arts. “I can’t believe you’re still doin’ it”? was my reply. Chris, whom I’ve known for over a decade and trained with in the gym on and off in that time continued sharing what he knew I could relate to, “I can’t get hit yet, so I’m kinda going through the motions.”
“Eye surgery right”? I asked. “Yeah, I had cataracts removed in both eyes, this one twice,” he said pointing to his dilated eyeball. “You know what’s gonna happen right”? I asked. Chris shrugged his big shoulders chuckling as I gave him the prophecy of his future, “You’re gonna get better, you’re gonna be training at full speed soon, and then you’re gonna get hurt”! -“Probably bad”! … “You know how this story ends – don’t you”?
Chris smiled again, I know that smile, the smile that means, “You’re right, but I’m not listening anyway”! I’ve smiled that smile more than once in my life… I continued to try to talk sense into my friend, “C-mon Man”! – “You know how this story ends don’t you”?
Chris kept smiling, “I do”…. “You’re right”…. “But I know how lots of books or stories end”…. “But I read or watch them anyway”!!! It was my turn to smile as Chris continued, “Don’t you”? – “Don’t you read a story sometimes and already know the ending”? I paused, “I do”! – “You got me there”! I agreed laughing and added, “But not as often as I used to”!
Chris and I know the ending to his story; he’ll get hurt again, you always do, and the final curtain will draw closed on his days of reckless youth…
I realized as I talked to Chris that it’s not so different for any of us in this life. Everyone has done something we knew might not turn out well, but chose to do it anyway. We’re gamblers at heart.. we know of risks and yet take them anyway, even when we know good and well the painful consequences.
It doesn’t have to be training, it can be any aspect of our lives. We choose to show up late too often, we choose to associate beyond what we should with the wrong people. We share or gossip with them more than we know is prudent. We eat too much, we drink too much, we don’t drink enough water.
We can watch too much TV, spend too much time on social networking. We tend to let our kids get away with things they shouldn’t because it’s easier. We avoid reading The Word… the list goes on and on. We know the ending of all of those books, we know there will be consequences for our choices or lack of self-discipline… and yet we all do it anyway… Why?
We all want the best for our lives, we just lack the strength of character to pull it off. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”… Following the rules to do the right or prudent thing won’t even solve our problems, and what gives us a little enjoyment is hard to give up.
I’ve learned there is a time for all things to come to an end, nothing lasts forever in this world. Knowing the ending of some of the chapters of our lives and the consequences for our actions is similar to the wisdom we’re all given regarding our life; the wisdom to know how the story ends and if our name will be listed in the only book that matters…
Kinda evens things out for all the dumb things we do while we’re here…
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 3:59 am
Ok. I’ll start the conversation, Floyd!
Wow… this is a powerful message. As I was reading “Everyone has done something we knew might not turn out well, but chose to do it anyway. We’re gamblers at heart.. we know of risks and yet take them anyway, even when we know good and well the painful consequences.”, I’m thinking…”Hhmmm. not me.” What pride! God forgive me!
As I read on, I thought, “Me…Me…Me…” Wow… you opened my eyes to see me, Floyd. For that I thank you!
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 7:12 am
Thanks Diane, I wasn’t trying to point fingers at anyone as much as open my eyes to myself!
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 5:11 am
I couldn’t help but think back to when I stopped playing college ball but thought I could still play like I used to. I tried and thought I was doing well until a neurosurgeon told me, “No more. You are done jumping.” Oh, how time and age and maturity kick in. I was 41 then and knew it was over…trying to act like a college player. Spiritually? Yeah it has happened also. Reckless ideas catch up and the payoff is a bear. Good thoughts today Floyd.
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 7:13 am
I hear you Bill, amazing how good the eyesight gets about our past! Thanks Bill.
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 7:52 am
I thank God for stepping in and stopping some endings that should have happened in my life.
Sometimes it’s hard to see the ending, sometimes we delude ourselves that our ending will be different. Only Christ can help us see through those rose colored glasses.
I know where my ultimate ending will be and I know how some of my mini endings here will be but not all of them. God likes to surprise us with mini endings. Some are easy to recognize as blessings, others take Him to reveal the blessings.
Thanks for this post, it speaks to me on so many levels!
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 11:52 am
Thanks TC, He does surprise us with “mini endings,” I think I’ll tuck that new word under my hat and use it on a rainy day. We’re all on similar levels that’s for sure.
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 7:56 am
GREAT POST. Easy to relate especially after we have a little age on us…we know how the story ends. With my health issue I have to be very picky what I risk doing and use wisdom how long I do it. It would be so easy to throw my whole life into a diet and exercise program in hopes I could at 65 retain some of my youth. Not going to happen…know how that story ends. My husband and I talk about owning another motocycle as we love to ride. But one half hour on a bike would put me down for weeks…know how that story ends.
The only risk taking idea that pays off big is to invest myself in getting the gospel out to all I can. And though my body screams sometimes to just “retire” from this battle I KNOW there is waiting on me a crown with jewels to give the one who risk it all. This kind of risk will be worth it all…when we see Jesus. Well said Floyd…well said.
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 11:59 am
Thanks Betty, I’d say you crossed the “T’s” and dotted the “I’s” with this follow up. In the end that investment in Him and His will removes all risk. Nice one!
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 11:32 am
I totally relate with this post. Their is so much I want and could do but so often get distracted or allow my laziness not to push toward my dreams. This is such a great statement, “We all want the best for our lives, we just lack the strength of character to pull it off.” Though I’m still doing a lot I feel at times I’m not doing as much as I could.
Very encouraging post today.
ps. For some reason I don’t get an email when you respond to my comments. So I often forget to go back to read your response. Just thought you should know:)
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 12:02 pm
I hear you Dan, we’re all in the same boat. The spirit is willing but this flesh is weak. The good part is that we’re all in this together!
Thanks for the heads up. I have to figure out how to set that up on my site? Computer stuff is still my weak point, but I’m trying!
Sunday, June 3, 2012 @ 1:28 pm
Your welcome. I wanted to mention it so you don’t think I’m intentionally not replying to your responses from my comments. I’m also learning more about computer stuff:)
Friday, June 1, 2012 @ 9:00 pm
Another great Post. We do know the end before we decide to step over the line.
Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. I learned that somewhere. We know we need to get to bed earlier, at lest I know it, and I know what the end of the story is if I don’t. Habit changes are difficult, but they say if you repeat it often enought,it will become a new habit.
I am making some changes and will look for rewards.
Sunday, June 3, 2012 @ 1:23 pm
I forgot about that old adage! I love that one! I agree with you on the habits, if we are disciplined enough for long enough, good habits are right around the corner. Good for you Hazel, I’m encouraged by your intentions. Thanks.
Saturday, June 2, 2012 @ 9:40 pm
And sometimes, we only THINK we know the ending and forge ahead of God in all confidence–I mean arrogance. 🙂
Sunday, June 3, 2012 @ 1:24 pm
You do know how to play on words! That word arrogance defines a good portion of my life… What a waste of time and energy trying to outrun God. Great point Voni.
Monday, June 4, 2012 @ 10:04 am
Or we think we know the ending so we don’t step out in faith….that happens to me all the time! It is then that I must immediately realize I’m leaning on my own understanding of how the story ends.
Monday, June 4, 2012 @ 3:59 pm
Good point Audra, we take our own wisdom as gospel… made that mistake more than a few times my self. Thanks for adding to my list of “dumb things”!
Monday, June 4, 2012 @ 4:10 pm
I always wonder how much are we held accountable when we continue to make the same mistake? Thankfully there is grace, but still I wonder.
Monday, June 4, 2012 @ 4:20 pm
That’s a great thought Amy, not that I have the answers, but I really believe it’s a matter of the heart. I know many people who have carried their weaknesses with them through out their lives and never got around to letting God change their weaknesses into their strengths. Not that I’ve got it all dialed in, but a striving heart is from God I think? Great point, most people don’t have the guts to ask the tough questions, thanks for making me wrestle with this one!