Albert Einstein, a German-born theoretical physicist once remarked: “The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 reminds us: So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Amongst its many definitions, a journey through life could be regarded as experiencing wonder, challenges, extreme highs and lows, celebrations, special moments and memories that trend a general lifestyle as a human being. It can also include a special relationship with God. It is these events, planned or otherwise, that impact our travels and define our purpose. In many ways, people may not view the explicated routes along the norm or defined path of life to be of the most beneficial and deem an alternative might provide more scope for excitement and productivity.
Everyone on our planet is different and views the quality of life asymmetrically. If one follows the predictable and often mundane pattern of conformity, then much of the wonderment of life may be lost. However, if one instigates the incentive to deviate from the general pathway, they may experience new and encapsulating unseen special gifts of the world that may induce a completely different outlook on life.
God always provides an option to deviate from a nonconformist and futile chosen pathway that we may be walking, to one inviting new experiences and unpredictability. A new understanding in our faith will guide us to the ideal pathway chosen for His intentions so that we may give our best in whatever role He has deemed appropriate for us. Along the way, our knowledge and perspectives may differ, we may become more fruitful in our efforts. Perhaps most importantly of all, the hidden depths of life, obliviated to some, may be seen in a new light for extreme personal benefit. 2 Peter 1:5-10 confirms: For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so near-sighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”
Perspectives can provide a new vista on the traditional forms of life. They look at things in a different way, perhaps more discerningly or intently than previously ever considered. They can reveal undisclosed attributes that remain hidden beneath the surface. Romans 12:2 reminds us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Many aspects of life have, so far, been largely unexplored. Sadly, they remain hidden in the wonders of God’s world to the detriment of all.
For many, unseen treasures or beauty remain undiscovered or still shrouded in undisclosed opportunities. The depths and beauty of life hover unfurled. 1 John 2:15-18 reminds us: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.”
It is well known that there are many regions of the world that yet remain to be explored in depth. Surface exploration may initially appear complete, but the inner depths conceal interesting and unbeknown knowledge and further revelations. Sir David Frederick Attenborough, a British broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and author once remarked: “We only know a tiny proportion about the complexity of the natural world. Wherever you look, there are still things we don’t know about and don’t understand. [...] There are always new things to find out if you go looking for them.”
The tenure of life contains considerable opportunity for learning, aside from the complexities and natural beauty of the Earth. These may also include further scope for in-depth knowledge and understanding of God. John 3:16-21 reminds us: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
For some, God’s world will always remain largely hidden by darkness. It is like a book that, even though it has been published and readily available, continues to be unread. The secrets within that may reveal scope, light, inspiration or further knowledge are never discovered or appreciated. It lingers as a solitary item in a lost or unknown world.
Romans 1:20-25 reminds us: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!”
Amen.
