So, I just saw a commercial [for Fidelity Investments] that started with these words, "When life gets complicated, a lot goes through your mind". It appears Fidelity Investments is trying to reach that portion of the viewing audience who are just now finding themselves a little concerned about what is happening in today's world.
Sometimes I wonder about the people who write this kind of material to be used in commercials. And, I guess I ought to also be wondering about the "Suits" at Fidelity Investments who approved this commercial. What kind of world are they living in?
For most of us, life "gets complicated" from the moment we "leave the nest", if not before. For most of us, life is always complicated. For most of us, there's a lot going through our minds most of the time, even when the outside world is "normal". My guess is that there are very few people who are just now figuring out that life in 2020 is getting "complicated". Fidelity Investments seems to be arriving a little late to the game.
Here are some of the things going through my mind right now. "Look at the pain and devastation that Corona has wrought in our world, our nation, our state, our church! Will anything ever be like it was before the Pandemic? Have I always treated and thought of people who do not look like me in a way that Jesus would approve? When will we be able to have Bible Classes again in the church building? How long will the people at church endure the way things are being done now before they just give up? Did any of all that talk of "change", did any of all that talk of how being "comfortable" is NOT what God has called us to as His disciples that we have been doing at TOCC for the last 10 years really sink in, both for me and for the flock?" There's more, but you neither want nor need to hear anymore of this.
What's going through your mind these days? Economic issues? Health issues? Political issues? Fears about the future? Regrets about the past?
Why is it like this? Is there no escape from this? Is this the way God wants His people to live?
All of this can be summed up as "worry", and we know Jesus begs His followers to leave all of this behind. "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish A LITTLE THING LIKE THAT [emphasis added], what's the use of worrying over bigger things?" - Luke 12:25-26. And we all know and love these words - "Let not your hearts be troubled" - John 14:1
So why is my heart always troubled? Why is my mind full of the thoughts I described above? Isn't this the way people who are not God's disciples think? Fidelity Investments is counting on that!
This is what happens until I [we] truly accept these other words of Jesus - "They [my disciples] are not of the world, even as I am not of it." - John 17:16. The Apostle Paul added this - "Our citizenship is in heaven" - Philippians 3:20. People who are not of this world don't need to bother themselves with the cares of this world.
But I struggle with this concept, which is why I am so grateful for those of you who keep on showing me, by your wonderful way of life, how a citizen of Heaven should live. And I am so grateful for those of you who keep on showing me how a citizen of heaven should think - "Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about." - Philippians 4:8.
For those times when "life gets complicated", and perhaps it does even for those of us who aren't really citizens of this world, life is going to be so much better if these are the things that "go through your mind". In fact, the very next verse tells us why life will be better - "And the God of PEACE WILL [emphasis added] be with you." - Philippians 4:9.
Wouldn't you love to have some peace right about now?
~Shepherd Ambrose Ramsey
