Tune: BY AND BY
The recurring line in this hymn is “We will understand it better by and by.” We seem to live by that belief – that what we don’t comprehend in this life will be better explained in the next.
Today’s hymnline is a statement we’ve all made… or at least thought… countless times during this earth-bound pilgrimage: “Why is it that when I am putting forth my best effort, I am still blocked by testings and seemingly insurmountable snags?” or more specifically, “Why do I face so many struggles when I try so hard to do what God has called me to do, and act in ways commensurate with my commitments to him?”
In 1981, the book WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE? became a best-seller, purchased by every “good person” who walked through Barnes and Noble! “Finally,” they thought to themselves, “someone is asking the same question I’ve been asking.” I have a lot of respect for its author Rabbi Harold Kushner. I realize it brought solace and hope to many, especially those grieving the loss of a loved one. But I never read the book – never had any interest in it really, because it is an unanswerable question. Like a lot of other distractions, we will understand it better by and by. [On the flip-side, I’ve often wondered why good things happen to bad people. How petty of me, I know!]
Fortunately, we understand this seeming imbalance in the cosmic system more and more each day of THIS life. We continue to do our best, problems still come our way, we deal with the complications, and God continues to sustain and bless us. We are strengthened in our faith in spite of the blockades… or perhaps because of them.
I don’t think Christ calls us to be “perfect” as the world sees perfection; I do think he calls us to be “complete” in our devotion to his cause and our reflection of his attitude. While some have accused me of being a perfectionist in my choral/handbell work, I would say I have been a “best-est” – because that is what is expected of us when we offer up music in worship, isn’t it?
Another hymn puts it this way: “Give of your best to the Master; give him first-place in your heart.” That’s my goal, and I realize that doing my best does not exempt me from difficulties.
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