Thirteen years ago, a note started with a reference to David’s prayers. It was an observation then about an individual’s direction in his life. As I look back, I realize that there was more to the story. On top of the “should be obvious, but did not really talk about it then” list is my observation. When one describes something, is the commentary complete without fully describe the person, place, or thing? Is a partial list the picture? Does understanding more help?
In an age where data, information, and images overwhelm everyone, it is clear that More can be too much. The headache from researching on the web, trying to take in the various perspectives that are in our faces, and the constant flow of images never quite goes away. Life’s chaos is more intense because of this! While I understand this, I also know that focusing on a point, getting the full end-to-end view of what I am looking at, helps. The loopbacks inform me so that at some point, I get it.
My note then talked about directions. It was a compliment, yet it also missed the core of what was new to me at the time. Our lives are described more because of what we do than what we do not. Tell me about your passions and I begin to see the picture. Describe what is important and the details begin to fill in. Fill in enough and even I can paint the picture of what is not. Our More is about what fills us, not what we discard.
As I look across the time, I realize I am talking about an imperfect individual with a great heart. The full observation includes the first one plus More; “How well God must like you – you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College. Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.” (Psalm 1.1, 2)
It is a story that fits well with our best dreams and aspirations.
