Epictetus, a Greek Stoic philosopher once remarked: “How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself and in no instance bypass the discriminations of reason? You have been given the principles that you ought to endorse, and you have endorsed them. What kind of teacher, then, are you still waiting for in order to refer your self-improvement to him? You are no longer a boy, but a full-grown man. If you are careless and lazy now and keep putting things off and always deferring the day after which you will attend to yourself, you will not notice that you are making no progress, but you will live and die as someone quite ordinary. From now on, then, resolve to live as a grown-up who is making progress, and make whatever you think best a law that you never set aside.
And whenever you encounter anything that is difficult or pleasurable, or highly or lowly regarded, remember that the contest is now: you are at the Olympic Games, you cannot wait any longer, and that your progress is wrecked or preserved by a single day and a single event. That is how Socrates fulfilled himself by attending to nothing except reason in everything he encountered. And you, although you are not yet a Socrates, should live as someone who at least wants to be a Socrates.” Colossians 2:8 confirms: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Philosophy is defined as the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline. It also encompasses a theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behavior. It appertains to one’s faith, belief, reasoning, credo or convictions which determines an existence.
The elite power of reasoning encompasses one’s intellect and interpretation, from a situation creating knowledge, this defines a person’s response or particular actions. It unifies information gleaned into a coercive thought process and creates both definitive understanding and reaction. Job 28:1-6 reminds us: “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine. Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore. Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness. He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro. As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire. Its stones are the place of sapphires, and it has dust of gold.”
The fundamental principles appertaining to the philosophy of life are essentially controlled by the way that we live it. If we allow it, God’s principles can lead the way to a successful and rewarding existence. When we first accept God, we form a special bond, a unique relationship that can never die. Romans 10:9-10 confirms: “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” We are God’s children and are treated and loved as such. There may be times when God demands obedience, and as such, if we fail, this could encourage the need for repentance followed by the seeking of forgiveness. But that is the philosophy of life. It is concomitant to traditional family values.
When we do well and please Him, then we may be rewarded with little treats. If we ask for something special, we may, to our surprise, find that we get it. However, the ultimate reward, that we should always remember, and one that we do not need to constantly ask for, is eternal life. John 10:27-28 confirms: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
A ship is defined as a large boat specially constructed to transport people or cargo to worldwide destinations by sea. Every ship ever constructed, includes at least one anchor, usually constructed of heavy metal. It is often referred to as an essential item of safety. Its primary purpose in life is to secure a vessel to the bed of a body of water. The principle function is to prevent drifting from wind or currents which may endanger the vessel in any way. It is relied upon heavily for security and peace of mind. It may provide an element of shelter in stormy weather. God always provides a spiritual anchor in our lives to protect us from the temptations and dangers of evil.
If we choose not to lower our personal safety anchor into the water, then we may drift from the path of righteousness which could endanger us. Psalm 91:1-16 reminds us: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place - the Most High, who is my refuge
- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Personal weakness or fear can create consternation or persistent storms in life. However, if we depend upon the safety of God’s anchor to bring us through any trials or tribulations that we may encounter, like a ship with its own functional and essential anchor, then we can rest easier in our hearts and minds. Corinthians 2:1-5 reminds us: “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
Amen.
