The fragility of man

Summer season is always a fun one. There is the good weather, the beautiful blue skies, the warm temperatures, the sun shining, the vacations, greenery everywhere, people enjoying each other’s companies outside on patios, the mountain hikes, etc. Moreover, on the television side, it is also a time when sports events and tournaments start. At the moment, there is the French Open in Paris for tennis lovers, and there is also the Euro 2020 football (or soccer) tournament playing to mention just these two. As we enjoy these tournaments, we get the thrill of cheering for a player or a team, we are filled with a mixture of emotions, joy, exhilaration, sadness, anger even, all within a few minutes into a game. What can I say? We are sensitive creatures who are easily affected by emotions and feelings. What is more frightening is the fact that, the effect our emotions have on us usually carry a certain impact or consequence depending on whether we felt good or bad. This is one reason why the bible says “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)”. As a matter of fact, we are cautioned to guard our hearts because out of it flow the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23). The bible recognizes that our human condition wires all emotions, feelings and desires in the same place – our heart, therefore we must be careful with it. Furthermore, we are encouraged to thread lightly with our emotions; to exercise self-control (Galatians 5:22, Proverbs 25:28, 1 Timothy 3:2-3, James 1:19-20, etc.); to live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7); to set our minds on things above not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2); and finally to exercise, wisdom and understanding by trusting in the Lord with all our hearts and leaning not on our own understanding but acknowledging the Lord in all of our ways (Proverbs 3:5-6). We are fragile creatures who have a hard time controlling our emotions and not letting them impact us. So, we need help.

In a recent Euro 2020 game, there was a player that collapsed while on the field before spectators, his fellow teammates and viewers at home causing the game to be suspended for a good while until the player that collapsed was taken to the hospital. That event shook everyone that witnessed it whether live in the stadium, online or on television. It is almost as though it reminded those witnessing the scene of the fragility of man and the brevity of life. In moments like these, I am reminded that God is indeed above us, that He is more powerful, that while we are affected by events of this world, circumstances of this world – being happy one moment and the next not – God is not and that is reassuring. It is even more reassuring to know that this God, who is so powerful knows me; that I am known by Him. There are so many unknowns in this world, so many scenarios that we do not see, understand, or control. Yet, God sees them all. He is all knowing, omniscient, omnipotent. He is aware of everything; He can do anything. Before a thought is on my mind God already knows it (Psalm 139:4). This is the same God who holds the hearts of kings in his hands (Proverbs 21:1). The privilege of being known by a God like this is really incomprehensible and immense. Therefore, we must cling to this great God because He is the sure element of our constantly changing lives. He is the sure being on whom we can rely on when life’s circumstances take front line or precedence. We can trust Him whose emotions are not shaken by life’s events like ours are. We can trust the One who is always in control of what He does. In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:18). This same God made a way to be known, to be discovered and found by us. He sent His one and only son to die on the cross for sinners like you and me in order to make a way for everyone who would believe in Him to not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16-17). I am grateful that we have an anchor to hold on to as we go through this life being sensitive creatures knowing that life will toss us like the waves of the sea. Thank you, Father, for this wonderful salvation, and receive all the praise for your mercy and grace.