In the Fullness of Time

I spent the better part of Saturday, July 27 with a most treasured friend, who for the purposes of this post shall only be named K.
You see, K had paid yours truly a courtesy call and having taken some snacks and amid great chatter, we together took a stroll which inadvertently evolved into an excursion - one full of adventure and amazing scenery to boot, but the hiking and climbing ultimately left us knackered.

Long after K had gone, I took time to ruminate on the engaging discourse that had flavored and greatly added color to the day.

The Element of Time

To this day, the most popular post on this blog is about time and its wonderful effect.
In this post, time is a gift, as was very well explained by fellow blogger who actually wrote:

Our Saviour has granted us a lot of gifts and one of the best is time. There are things that you go through in life: some good, some bad but what they both have is common is time.

With K, we mutually observed that everything does and should happen in its own right time. This time should not be unnecessarily determined by undue cultural leanings, popular opinion or shady statistics. That said, there is no exact right time to get married, to have kids, etc.
K asserted that the right time is essentially when one is able, ready and willing to handle a particular situation, and still be in line with, and subject to the will of God.

In effect, time has the ability to change everything. It heals wounds and changes perceptions.
The passage of time facilitates change. Interestingly, our ability to remain steadfast and focused despite the passage of time and varying circumstances is a key component of success.

The Right Time

When the right time comes along, and this seemingly happens once in a lifetime, it is good to keep it going and not lose it... 




The Fullness of Time

The fullness of time means a whole lot of different things in different situations. It in most cases means "having waited long enough."
In theological circles, the dispensation of the fullness of times is well explained here.

In the Bible, the term appears in both the books of Ephesians and Galatians:

"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him."
- Ephesians 1:10 (KJV)

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
- Galatians 4:4-5 (KJV)

In view of the foregoing, it is my considered view that the right time, not just time, is something that needs to play a central role in the conduct of our lives.
The right things, done in the right places and for the right reasons, need to happen at the right time.

Admittedly, we all too often get this combination wrong and in haste, only end up moving too slowly, and even worse, in the wrong direction. When we are quick to judge and slow to learn, we hinder our own progress.
It's time we realized that we no longer know so much. It's time we took a different road:





At some point in our conversations, we both wondered why men generally die earlier than women, despite being generally strong.
Is it because men rarely vent, and the bottled-up emotions therefore degrade the male lifespan? This would ironically make men the 'weaker' sex....
What do you think?

Righting Wrongs and Taking A Different Road

Late last year, I fell out with both a close friend and neighbor. Looking back, whatever occasioned our disagreement in such an intense manner now looks trivial, even shameful.

This month, we reconciled and as of yesterday, we are like the best of friends with a renewed friendship, lots of respect and selfless kindness. It is my hope that we infinitely remain that way.

Making Amends

 

In January 2009, I watched an episode of CSI where a guy lost his life after he tried to make amends. In the episode 'Killer' (CSI s6e14), Karl Cooper, upon his release from prison after serving seven years for robbery, kills the guy who ratted him out. Ironically, it is this victim who had actually contacted Karl, since he was '12 stepping'. An attempt to make amends sadly cost him his life.

Thinking about the aforementioned episode, I wrote a Facebook Note in February 2009, in which I explored the following two steps:

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Apparently, making amends can also be self harming, as Karl's victim came to find out.
With that in mind, I am usually torn between whether or not to make some amends that have been pending for a while... My excuse being that those who crafted step 9 forgot to include "injure us" as a result of seeking to make amends.

There are two very interesting things to making amends:

I. Whenever you make amends, a very big weight is lifted off your shoulders. While it's especially hard for some people to make amends, eating humble pie, stooping low and being bold enough to accept wrongs were committed and acknowledge the need for closure is all it takes. And it may surprise you that those you once wronged actually have no ill feelings at all.

II. It's worth noting that making amends may not always turn out well. Like our victim in CSI, those you once wronged may be quite unwilling to forgive and let go. Some may even see this as an opportunity to revenge and/or punish you. But take heart. The apostle Paul talks about maintaining a clear conscience. Once you do your part, God will handle the rest. "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men" - Acts 24:16 (KJV).

My friends, I now urge you to go out and make amends. Remember that colleague you back-stabbed the other day? Or that guy you still owe money? What about that childhood friend you lost courtesy of a few careless words? And do you have any issues between you and God that are still unattended?
Take the bold step number 8. But be careful, and ensure your decision is informed by the (somewhat incomplete) insurance that step 9 accords you before you go making any amends.

All in all, purpose to secure a clear conscience before both God and men. That is what matters after all. Regardless of how it turns out.

A Different Road
Upon effecting such far reaching change in life,  it is necessary to ensure that offenses are not repeated. There must be a complete deviation in lifestyle, habits and anything else that led to the mistakes that needed to be corrected.

At this point, one needs to take a different road. For the simple reason that you might end up being too slow while attempting to run ahead.
Only then does sustained and meaningful change happen. When we humbly and sincerely right wrongs.

:)

New Beginnings, Taking a Different Road

"Closing time

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

- Closing Time by Semisonic

Change is Constant
Every so often, I find myself going through changes. Some of them are far-fetched, some require lots of input, some are inevitable and yet others are mere enhancements to what is already fine, but can get better with a little tweak here and there.

As previously stated on this blog, I recently decided to let go of a big part of my life, to be better placed in attaining my goals in life. Not everything I have had to relinquish has been of no use, but as happens many times in life, I had to let go of many things I really wanted in order that I may gain what I really need.

New Beginnings?
Interestingly, I keep wondering just how NEW these beginnings are. After careful consideration, I realize that NEW is not what's really important. What matters is that it is a beginning.
From the Safe Haven personal story in the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, the alcoholic in question realized the following,

I cannot go back and make a brand new start. But I can start from now and  make a brand new end.

Taking a Different Road
For those who subscribe to the Christian faith like yours truly, Kathy Troccoli's A Different Road captures the very essence of change - change that is inspired and unrelenting.



Are you in need of change in your life? Do you feel that there is need to begin walking a different path? Well, you can start right now and by so doing, make a brand new end.