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| Source: 1safeharborisjesus.wordpress.com |
There's a certain innate restlessness in us all.
In fact, our culture thrives on this.
Advertisers trust we will clamor for more consumer goods, feeling dissatisfied with what we currently own or longing for what another person has.
Divorce rates soar as people break their wedding vows, searching for another mate whom they hope will satisfy their deep felt needs.
People change jobs and relocate their families at unprecedented frequencies, jockeying for higher paying jobs, promising a higher quality of living, hoping to attain the elusive American dream.
We are a people who are always searching, always striving, longing for the next best thing, hoping for better, never satisfied, always wanting more.
But what if this restlessness was a gift from God to us, dear friend?
This poem entitled "The Pulley" was penned by George Herbert back in the 17th century, but it speaks volumes to our current culture's restlessness in a very creative and moving way.
It's as if the narrator is a first-hand witness to Creation and is privy to God's inner thoughts as He is deciding what gifts to bestow onto mankind and which ones to withhold.
It's also a clever spin on the classic Pandora's box myth, but instead of unleashing troubles upon unsuspecting humans just for curiosity's sake, a beneficent God is thoughtfully pouring out riches onto His created people.
Here's the poem, for you to enjoy and reflect upon today:
When God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by,
“Let us,” said he, “pour on him all we can.
Let the world’s riches, which dispersèd lie,
Contract into a span.”
So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honour, pleasure.
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that, alone of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottom lay.
“For if I should,” said he,
“Bestow this jewel also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts instead of me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature;
So both should losers be.
“Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness;
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.”
From Herbert's point of view, this restlessness we experience as humans is God's gift to us to draw us to Himself.
I love how his poem states that "both should losers be" if man were to find total satisfaction in God's gifts--oh, how God longs for us to be in fellowship with Him!
Are we not a nation that is "rich and weary," always pursuing, never finding? This poem reminds us to not be content with wealth, strength, wisdom, honor, pleasure, or nature. We were made to know God Himself, and not glory in these sign posts that only point to Him!
So, today, when you are feeling restless, feeling bored or dissatisfied, envious or discontent, stop and recognize that these negative feelings are an important way that God has chosen for us to feel our need for Him! May we draw ever closer to Him and be content in Him...alone.
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