Firsts & Lasts, What Happened to the In Betweens?

by Charissa Ee
Firsts & Lasts, What Happened to the In Betweens?

A couple of weeks ago, my best friend Audra posted a photo of her daughter Lyn in her first dress. I was oohhing and ahhhing because it was such a sweet photo. But it got me thinking a bit about the firsts in my life.

We celebrate all the firsts in our lives. First smile, first steps, first time on potty, first birthday, first words, first day at school, first boyfriend, first kiss, first job, first car, first credit card, first child, first, first, first.

That wasn't the end, when I was watching the Emmys on re-telecast last night, they honored ALL the men and women who have passed on. This got me thinking again. We celebrate the first and the lasts of our lives. What happened to the in between?

We have this saying, it doesn't matter how you get to your destination as long as you get there. Can I suggest to you differently? Maybe it does matter whether take the scenic road or the Autobahn. I think it didn't make a difference in my grandparents' day but I think it does now for us because we're so obsessed in getting there first. Not only are we obsessed about getting to our destinations first but we want to be there in the fastest time possible.

The bible is full of stories of men and women who have taken the scenic routes of their lives. Most often, we think about the pain that comes with a detour. We don't think of how beautiful it can be.

Getting to our destination is not God's top priority. The process of getting us there is equally if not more important than our destination. That's because when we go through the right processes, when we finally get to our destinations, we'll be the person God has intended for us to be.

Just like a lump of clay that first has to be pounded and slapped around before it can be thrown onto the wheel. When it gets on the wheel, it is molded. After that it's left to dry and then fired in a kiln. When the first round of firing is done, colours can be painted onto it. After which it is put back into into the kiln for another two times before we see the final product.

Often times we admire these works of ceramics but we have no idea what great pains it took an artist to create a beautiful work of ceramic with its intense colours. God is like an artist that creates us for a purpose. Most ceramics are molded into plates, vases, cups etc. They are of purpose and we enjoy the use of them. Likewise God creates us in the same manner and He enjoys using us for His pleasure.

I was recently reading up on Moses and now I've moved onto Nehemiah. Both had their days in their scenic routes of their lives. But I like Nehemiah's attitude.

Nehemiah's my man these days. He has an attitude worth imitating. From Nehemiah 2v2, we read that the King could tell that Nehemiah was visibly sad. It was SO obvious that he asked Nehemiah what he wanted.

I don't think the King would have bothered if Nehemiah had been throwing temper tantrums or been a complainer during his years of service. He was the best cup bearer he could be. If there was such a thing in Nehemiah's time as best service award, he would have gotten it.

We're all currently in our in between years now. Can I suggest to you to live out your life like God depends on it?

When we live our lives with such an attitude - life's the best, our scenic routes suddenly take a different turn. We stop to smell the roses, enjoy a nap under the oak tree and sink our feet into the first spring grass.

You know what, I'm so enjoying my scenic drive these days that I'm taking as many "snap shots" of my drive. Do that and you'll be amazed at the roads Christ is taking you.

What a drive!