Iron CoveSometimes it seems that there is nowhere to go, no left, no right and no straight ahead.
Life is sometimes like that.
"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
What does man gain from all his labour in which he labours under the sun? One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
I spent thirteen years driving to and from home at Campbelltown, south west of Sydney to work at Lilyfield, an inner City suburb. This can be wearing and makes one ask what was it all for.
I have a wife and three boys that have grown into men during this period. Two of my boys have recently married. They are embarking on a new phase in their life while retirement starts to loom in my future.
Am I part of a Darwinian stage in the natural order or am I part of Gods plan and made for a purpose?
Yes I have laboured for many companies and created electronic machines in order to feed my family. Work does give satisfaction and I managed to balance it with a good family life. This is satisfying because I now see that the work of my hands become obsolete.
Do people to become obsolete?
Do we grow old and useless? I know my Mother feels that she is becoming a burden. As her body breaks down she has becomes less independent. Nobody likes this. Her family loves her and wants her to be happy.
It seems that the family a key to life. God made it that way.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.
For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.
My family has given meaning to my life and is worth all of the hard work and maintenance. This is an example of what God has done to all that accept him.
God made the family the most important and rewarding part of life. It is easy to forget this. Work hard for what your family needs, but remember they need you at home more than a really big house with a plasma TV.
I am still a father and as life goes on my role in life changes. My children no longer need me for the day to day things as they did before. I am reminded that I am an adopted child of God, I do not know what life will bring. I look forward to the glory that will be revealed.
Andrew Payne