Reinhold Niebuhr, an American theologian, reputedly once wrote a “Serenity Prayer” which is generally quoted as: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Acceptance is defined as the action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered. We know that God is freely available to all who are willing to accept Him. There are no conditions attached, no demands, His love is unconditional. His guidance is unlimited. He makes Himself known to all through Scripture in a book known as "The Bible" written all those centuries ago for our guidance and information. Colossians 1:19-23 informs us: “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”
God is independent, but welcomes all those who seek Him. If we display the faith that we, as mere mortals, believe in Him even though He is not actually visible, His arms will be forever open to receive us. He will care for us, just as a good father would care and will always have our best interests at heart. Sadly, for those amongst us who have not yet come to know God, it may be difficult to comprehend that such a being exists and has existed from the beginning of time. A God that created us and the world that we live in. A deity that loves us all so much that He gave His only Son to save us and ultimately give us eternal life. John 3:16 reminds us: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
A standard deck of cards is defined as a pack of 52 separate playing cards, often made of thin cardboard, with four individual suits consisting of Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds and Spades. Each suit contains thirteen different cards ranging from an Ace to a King in ascending order. The sequence usually consists of an ace which often resembles the number one, but may equally denote the highest-ranking card, followed by numerical cards ranging from two to ten consecutively and concluding with a Jack, Queen, and a King. The "English Pattern" is the only traditional pack available in Britain and America.
However, there are older standard decks still available with different suit symbols and pack sizes. The current decks are often used in private homes for friendly games and in casinos for the purpose of gambling. In addition to the playing cards, each pack usually contain two Jokers. The use of these individualistic cards varies considerably, with many games omitting their function completely. The Jokers are sometimes used as a replacement for damaged or lost cards by writing the rank and suit on the card.
Life can sometimes feel like a game of cards. You have to play the cards you are dealt. How you play your particular hand is down to each individual person. It can make the difference between success and failure in life. Many people are often faced with a fundamental choice of two important questions: "Do I play safe and stick to what I know and can achieve safely, albeit mundane?" Or, "Do I take a risk and gamble with my prospects in an attempt to achieve a life that is truly worth living?"
Whilst gambling for monetary gain is considered addictive and sinful by many, it will often be viewed in a different light when it is deemed to enhance one's self-integrity to aspire to a Godly life. Proverbs 20:7 reminds us: “The righteous who walks in his integrity - blessed are his children after him!”
Life is precious, but to ensure contentment depends on the way that we lead it. An element of luck often plays a role, just like in a game of cards, but the individual decisions that we make will usually denote the final outcome. A Godly life could be considered as a life filled with light, inner peace, happiness and the reassurance that God's love is in our midst. It is not one of darkness or one filled with dull activities. A new light can shine within us and a new world becomes visible.
Individual courage and determination are often leading factors in the success of the things we want to accomplish. Some card games allow the opportunity of exchanging a limited number of cards held by the player for different ones still remaining at the top of the deck and sometimes this bold activity can lead to a completely different outcome. And so it is in life. If we reject our present mundane lifestyle and seek a more fruitful life following God’s will, significant results can occur that lead to a truly beneficial life.
Tom Hiddleston, a London born actor, once remarked: “You never know what's around the corner. It could be everything. Or it could be nothing. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, and then one day you look back and you've climbed a mountain.” Revelation 21:1-5 states: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also, he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Acceptance or rejection of God in our individual lives is an extremely important decision that many are faced with in their formative years. If we choose to accept Him, then the benefits can be immeasurable and He will usually determine the correct path in life for us to follow. That is not to say that the course will always be smooth and hazard free, life is not like that, if we don't encounter certain problems along the way, then the satisfaction enjoyed in the end result may lose an element of worth. We really only appreciate things that we have strived for and perhaps suffered to accomplish. Psalm 16:11 reminds us: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Amen.
