Silent Time

Do you also look forward to an end of all the war, an end of hatred and revenge?

Who is blessed and joyful? We may assume those who are most successful by our common human standards, for example in their career. But if we study people of our times as well as throughout history, we find something else.

Who guides you in life? Even if we think we are purely self-controlled, there are also other influences. To which influences do you give room, and whom do you follow?

What kind of “smoke” do our lives produce? Bad “smoke” such as curses and anger?

Time always flows. People of all times have tried to invent time machines.

By nature, we are good at tempting others towards negative behaviours. How can we learn to guide others rather in a positive way, helping them to find their way? It is not only to their benefit, but mainly also to your own.  

With challenges in the distant future, we may still be relaxed. But once they come close, we might be surprised by their size. Similarly, a mounting far away may look easy to climb. Once coming close, we may realize how steep and high it really is.

In snow and ice as well as some areas of the earth, there can be craters, sudden deep gaps far down into depth of snow, ice or the soil. Similarly, among historical reports, there can suddenly be deeper truths, that we do not grasp from the surface. When we dig into them, study those parts and ask God for wisdom, we can learn a lot from them that is meaningful.

Is it depressing? Is it bizarre? Is it even disgusting?

Which voices do you listen to? Amidst all the voices and influences, do you recognize the voice of the good shepherd?

What comes to your mind first with regard to following God? Only strict rules and commands? There are much greater aspects.   There are jewels of love, joy, peace, comfort, grace and many more available.

Do followers of God have more trouble, pain, difficulties and challenges in life than those, who do not follow God? Or do they have less? Or equal?

What are your benchmarks, your norms and standards? Do you often think about what is allowed and what is not? Another viewpoint can set us free from such “attitude of shortage and limitations”.

Do you keep a record of wrongs? A list of injustices, by which others have harmed you? Probably many of us, keep such lists of complaints against others in our heart. Such lists harm ourselves. There are better ways to handle experienced injustice.

ST00008 - Protection, Punishment and Blessing At times it might seem as if we are lost, we feel vulnerable or punished. But there is a great protection and comfort available.  

In which sentence will your life be summarized? Maybe “work was all his life”? Or “she was good in enjoying life”? Or “they collected many things”? In the list of ancestors, most are unknown. What is the relevant thing, which remains?

Who knows your situation? Who knows your thoughts, your wishes, your fears? It is said that the rulers often do not know what is going on amongst the population, what is really relevant to the people and for their longterm future? But someone knows and wants to help.

A lot of injustice is going on in the world. It can be like acid to our souls. But there is hope and a way towards justified confidence.

On what do you put the emphasis of your focus? On the circumstances and people who scare us?

It is a free gift, not an achievment, not an accomplishment. Are you interested?

What fills your heart these days? (on the surface as well as deep within)

What is a good attitude?

Amongst the noise of life, do you hear the beautiful melody?

Not better than others. Not an easy life. But also not difficult.