And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
As I write this, there have been elections. And as with all elections, there are winners and there are losers.
And losing hurts.
Not so long ago there was a big election in America (global sigh of relief!) and I’m not sure the guy who came second ever admitted defeat. I understand that he was disappointed, but there is a way to lose gracefully, and that was not it.
On a smaller scale, we all have little wins and little losses every day. Your boss praises you, or your boss ignores your hard work. You get that parking space, or you have to walk half a mile in the rain. Your kids tidy their rooms, or you have an almighty battle and up yelling (bad mum syndrome, anyone?) and the clothes are still all over the floor. It can get a bit overwhelming.
Sometimes, as the saying goes, you’re the windshield. Sometimes you’re the bug.
We all get bug days, and it hurts. Your self-esteem is splattered all over the glass and It feels like it will never get fixed.
But, you know what? It’s OK to feel like that.
Life is rubbish sometimes and that’s just how it is.
Stop beating yourself up.
The world does not hate you, it’s just your turn to be the bug.
You’re not the worst parent-child-spouse-friend-teacher-typist-trout fisher-etc in the world (fill in your own role of failure), even it feels like you are. Sure, you’re not perfect, but did you expect to be?
There will be better days. Have a cup of tea and bit of a cry if that helps, pull up your big-girl pants and start again. (And blokes, you’re allowed to have a bit of a cry too. Big-girl pants are not just for girls.)
This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
That’s the bottom line. That’s what ultimately matters.
Do you think that in 20 years’ time you will mind what you boss thought about that report you spent weeks slaving over? (I know it’s frustrating right now. Your boss is an idiot.)
Will it matter that you got soaked on the way to … you know, I can’t even remember where I was going.
Will you care about clothes on the floor? Course not. It’ll just be nice to see the kids / grandkids.
This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Take a step back if you can. Big breath. Great. And another.
Stuff can seem big right now because we’re close to it, and when stuff is that close it can be hard to see around it. But however much it fills your perspective today, it’ll look titchy from the standpoint of twenty years, and from eternity? Pah, who even gives the D of a damn?
This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Perspective is everything.
What’s important? I mean, really important, eternal-life-type important?
Forgive your boss for being an idiot.
Forgive yourself for being an idiot (‘cos you are, you know, sometimes).
Hug your kids/parents/significant other/dog/goldfish (OK, maybe not the goldfish)
Thank God for all the little wins ‘cos they’re a blessing.
Thank God for all the little losses ‘cos they’re knocking off your rough corners and making you ready for heaven.
This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Reading
1 John 5:9-13
We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Credits
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Reflectionary 