Have you ever noticed that as we go through life we get increasingly harder to impress?
Fireworks is one area where I struggle with that. I was on a ship in New York harbor for the 4th of July in 1986 when the Statue of Liberty was rededicated after her two year renovation. I saw the laser beam shoot across from Governor’s Island to the statue to kick off the fireworks display when President Reagan gave the signal.
Then I saw the entire New York City skyline (complete with the Twin Towers) disappear behind a wall of fireworks. Fantastic. Impressive. Breathtaking. I really can’t find the right words to describe how wonderful it was that night looking over the rail of the ship across the harbor, hearing an entire city cheer at the incredible explosions of color and light.
Compared to that night most fireworks displays are… nice.
Part of the trouble is that I am a child of the MTV generation: Too much is never enough.
Do you struggle with that kind of thing at all? Maybe the words of the prophet Haggai apply to you:
This is what the LORD Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you! You have planted much but harvested little. You have food to eat, but not enough to fill you up. You have wine to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst. You have clothing to wear, but not enough to keep you warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!
Left on our own we have an ever increasing appetite for more and more. It makes us ugly. And it never really satisfies.
J. Paul Getty, the billionaire businessman, reportedly answered the question how much is enough with these words: Just a little more.
Our own nature puts us on a gerbil wheel that we can’t get off.
Fortunately for us Jesus offered a way off the wheel.
But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life.
Imagine getting off the wheel and leaving the MTV generation behind! That idea is worth looking into, don’t you think?
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Excellent reminder, Chris. My wife and I opted out of fireworks last night and sat on the back porch talking to each other. It was a great night.
Don’t get me wrong, Tom. I still dig fireworks. Things that go whoosh and boom are still pretty cool to this guy.
I had to work last night so we didn’t go downtown to see Savannah’s display. When I got home one of our cats was hiding under the bed and the other was running from window to window so he could see the fireworks going up in the neighborhood. Funny how cats are just as different as people.
WOW! I was at that VERY SAME fireworks display in NYC. I was just telling someone about it yesterday and I couldn’t remember the year, but I knew it was about the Statue of Liberty. I remember being very sad at how scared all the ducks were.
I’m not a huge fan of fireworks anymore. I have a dog who was abused badly. So, on July 4, we’ll take her driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway and listen to Pachelbel’s Canon in D really loud and she has a great time. (She’s big into classical music.)
I saw Wayne Dyer speak, and I loved what he said on this topic…something about how there’s no peace in the idea of MORE. You just keep grabbing. I find that gratitude is the best way to heal that insatiable part of ourselves. Looking around at the huge amount of gifts in our lives with deep thankfulness.
Christine, you do realize that was officially over 20 years ago now, don’t you? I don’t know about you, but I get the distinct feeling that makes me at least slightly more than young.
I had a dog growing up named Lucky (he was named before we got him) who didn’t like fireworks either. Or thunder. Or action movies with the volume up… He’d go crawl under a bed. Probably be haning out with Fat Boy if he were still aound, I guess.
Chris –
Thanks for the post. Looks like you are being used by that Higher Power that must go unnamed in some circles – OK – it’s Jesus – after all I’m typing this comment in a rectangle …
I’m reading “The Man in the Mirror” by Pat Morley (I think, the book is in the truck at the moment). I just started it and in the beginning he sets the stage for his points to follow and one of them is that Christianity today is in some trouble due to pursuing affluence as opposed to pursuing Christ.
I don’t believe he’s down on success or prosperity. Just on anything taking the Master’s rightful place at the head of our lives. Thanks for puttting your unique spin with your always insightful object lessons on the ‘Net for us. They hit the mark, bro!
Blessings,
Ken
Thanks for your kind words, Ken.
Pat Morley is a very wise man. My copy of that book is dog-eared and worn, good stuff. And it’s in a box somewhere…
Gorgeous and I just painted my study yesterday. Now I can finally start to get some of my books out of storage and onto shelves! I think it is going to be like Christmas in July!
Well, it might have been 20 years ago…but I wasn’t old then… and I don’t feel old now! (and really, either way…i don’t think you’re probably all THAT old.) If you’re 80, then, fine… you can be old. if you want.
Let’s see… divide by 2… carry the 1…
Ahhhggghhh. Math was never my thing. But I still seem to come up with a number that’s way too big!