Perhaps you’ve heard the ancient Chinese parable of the farmer whose horse ran off to nearby enemy territory?
While his neighbors bemoan the loss, the farmer entertains a broader perspective and replies, “who knows if that won’t bring good luck?”
The story unfolds with subsequent events that the neighbors alternately deem as either good or bad fortune—while the farmer continues to remain neutral on whether or not the circumstances are ultimately good or bad:
The loss of the farmer’s only horse is reversed when that horse eventually returns with several wild horses, enriching the farmer. Good luck.
But then, the farmer’s son fractures his leg while trying to tame one of the wild horses. Bad luck.
The narrative (which could zig zag back and forth forever) concludes with 9 out of 10 of the male villagers dying in a battle against invaders, while thefarmer’s son is spared due to the fact that his injury prevents him from fighting.
And what is the moral or lesson of this parable?
Over the past 2000+ years, this story has been embellished and adapted for the purposes of religion, philosophy, business management, and counseling.
Here’s my take away—based on the storyline I find myself in right now:
A person could ride some serious ups and downs trying to classify every event that comes along. Without an overall perspective, highs and lows can take on a life of their own, becoming focal points that suck us into the drama of the moment (which is quite different from being present to the moment).
It is good to give thanks and give praise to God, the giver of all good things.
It is also complicated when the not-so-good things come along and we feel like we have to explain them or offer some kind of defense on behalf of God—who is so far beyond our comprehension that the very attempt can create a caricature of him that is anything but helpful for others (let alone ourselves).
What if we hold an overarching perspective grounded in the faith that there is a God who can take what is bad and ultimately redeem it—find a way over the course of our time-bound lives to weave everything into a tapestry that emerges as good and write a conclusion to our story this side of eternity that ushers us into permanent goodness where evil and death are no more and every tear is wiped dry?
And we hang on to the faith that is evidence of things hoped for—the end of all conflict and the arrival of God’s kingdom of love and justice, peace and truth.
I won’t subscribe to neutrality of the Chinese farmer.
I will celebrate the good, the graces in the midst of inconvenience and pain.
I will also name evil and tragedy for what it is.
And I will turn my face to choose stability through the ups and down as I locate all these things in the big picture perspective—with an eye on the final outcome, resting in the faith that God is good and will make good on his promises.
What’s going on in your story right now?
Whatever it is, may you find rest in both the ups and downs.
Alicia
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