When we were all shut inside for Covid, I took to writing poetry. Here’s a poem I penned in November of 2020, which I’ll use to launch today’s post:
The Candle
A gift I once opened had a candle inside.
With what rich, layered hues was this wax beautified!
And it came with a wick at the top, slightly bent—
Its condition was perfect, with a light citrus scent.
To burn such enchantment I could not force myself;
No, I reverently displayed it, high on a shelf.
It’s been there for years now; without change it will sit
For what’s left of my life, well preserved, but unlit.
The poem was a reflective piece, designed to persuade myself to change my thinking. My mom taught me, “There are always tradeoffs; you can’t have your cake and eat it, too.” I’ve usually erred on the side of preserving my cake…as if it were going to get better with age.
We lived in Europe when I was little, and we spent Christmas vacations skiing in Austria. Where we little kids were taught to ski, there was no ski lift; we were obliged to climb the hill sideways on our skis. I hated that part. I just wanted to swish down the hills! Later I wanted to play piano, but didn’t want to take lessons or practice. And I loved the thought of playing flute. But reading music? That was hard! (My wife lovingly bought me a flute years ago, and I did take a few lessons—but failed to maintain momentum.)
I had conflicting desires; there was something I wanted, but not what came with it. Can you relate?
JRR Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit, features Bilbo Baggins. Hobbits are stay-at-home folks, so when Bilbo was invited to join a crew of dwarves on a high-risk, high-reward expedition to a faraway land, he wanted no part of it. “We don’t want any adventures here, thank you! Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!” Yet something stirred in Bilbo. Deep down, he longed for adventure.
There are tradeoffs:
You can’t have adventures while feeling safe and comfortable at the same time.
You can’t eat whatever you want and avoid exercise but also be fit and trim.
You don’t get the joy of a new baby without changing a lot of diapers.
You can’t hold onto bitterness and unforgiveness yet live happy and free.
You can’t serve God and money.
You can’t embrace fear and worry yet enjoy being peaceful and carefree.
Solomon once wrote, Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox (Proverbs 14:4). Want the revenue? Clean up after the ox. If you want to be fit, exercise diligently and forgo frivolous foods. (Don’t eat or keep the cake, haha!) Don’t complain you don’t have something you want when you’re unwilling to climb the hill. As Yogi Berra said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Decide what you really want, in your Spirit-led heart, and step boldly down that path, come what may—trusting God will help you—and live!
Oh! JB, that was spot-on!! Just what I needed to hear today. And I loved your poem! Thank you.