Today, our lives are largely driven to flaunt a delusive ideology that errs in keeping a strong foundation and a clear mindset. Francis Bacon wrote, “But men must know, that in this theatre of man’s [including women] life, it is reserved only for God and angels to be lookers on (Book II, The Advancement of Learning),” and that, “Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true (The Essays).”
There is no denying that people at some point in their lives would hope, dream and aspire. You know, whether you grew up eating with a silver spoon or a wooden spoon, the exposure to this world would formulate your personality and ambitions, bundled into an experience that is uniquely identified to you.
Inevitably, at a point, we’re pressed with difficulties. An immediate guy-next-door explanation echoes in the background, “Bruh, it’s about priorities…if you can’t keep up, you’re gonna be left behind…look deep inside, find the missing puzzle to stay ahead of the game…” It sounds copiously simple but is riddled with unlikely outcomes.
The secular approach is vast. In essence, all guides and conformities are tailored to suit your need and your mood, even down to the need for that moment alone without a hint of “outside” (non-secular) influence. I envisage it to be best personified as the wind: it upholds no master, no set direction. The wind blows at its own will, and any peace or quietness remains aloof and can’t be controlled. You certainly do feel the effects of it but you don’t see its shape or face. Inquisitively, it doesn’t seem to return to where it started out.
Where does it leave a person in his journey to reinvent? Well, nowhere.
The first commandment in the Bible says. “I am the Lord your God…” (Deuteronomy 5:6). The foundation is clear; we are an image of the Father, and that image has been given a name, that name has a meaning, a purpose, and that purpose has an assigned direction. The direction is henceforth searched, examined, chased, proclaimed and fought with zeal to capture the cornerstone for your household, the “Chief Cornerstone” (“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic…” Isaiah 28:16).
Reinventing oneself is a continued process of nurturing our identity in Christ. In other words, it’s about getting back to God – constantly. The burden for relief is heightened in our lives when there are shakeups or setbacks, or when we become emotionally plateaued or simply find ourselves left uninspired in exhaustion. Our need is to prioritise and connect with the architect, the master planner (“For he was looking forward to the City with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:10).
As the master plans unfold, we discover (“The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being.” Proverb 20:20) where we stand and humbly acknowledge any lack of our spiritual conversations (“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17), and then we begin to rekindle dialogues. As you meditate and “converse”, there is growth in the knowledge of the Father’s heart, blossoming in words of praise and unearthing of skills and gift tailored uniquely for you – much so often buried away or hidden, but brought forth as an offering before Christ.
And does a person feel left alone?
Nope, you are reminded that you are a vital part to a body (“For the body does not consist of one member but many…” 1 Corinthians 12:12–27), but never left alone, drawing you to a journey to make way for others. One of the pinnacle acts in our life is to make way for others first. The “reinvention” becomes transformed, building a legacy beyond oneself.
You begin with Christ and it ends with Christ.
Contributed by Atul Roy
Atul is a follower of Christ, an avid drummer, illustrator and visual designer.