An elderly widow and her daughter were earning their livelihood by running a small shop. It was popular with the locals, who loved to drop in for a chat as much as to buy goods. When the daughter was having her lunch or tea breaks the mother took charge of the shop. On entering, newcomers would be surprised to find someone both crippled with arthritis and almost sightless there, ready to deal with customers.
As she was unable to move without pain or difficulty, customers would help her by going and collecting what they needed from the shelves. They were glad to linger in conversation with her, as much as she welcomed the chat. She was one of those people with a well-stored mind, keen to discuss the day to day events. Having plenty of time to think, she was only too glad to express her views on a wide range of topics.
One year, early in January, a customer with a similar strong faith in God to that she professed was exchanging greetings for their future and for happiness in the days ahead. "By the way," he said, "What is happiness?" Without hesitation, she replied: "Happiness is striving." It was a deep answer to a deep question. She might easily have said: "Freedom from pains and lack of sight." Through her life she had seen that real happiness was found in striving . . . striving to do God's will.
In the example of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane we see His striving to ensure God's will being done, striving for the peace that is found through doing God's will. Jesus prayed: "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." No doubt the old lady in the shop would readily admit her striving was weak and fallible in comparison with Christ's example in Gethsemane, or the wise men's strivings on their way to Bethlehem.
To be followers of Jesus we strive to do so as a way of life. Try, try again is a good motto for a new year. In the Epistle to the Philippians (Chapter 3) Paul says: "I do not consider myself to have arrived spiritually, nor do I consider myself already perfect. But I keep going on, grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasped me. I leave the past behind, and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal - my reward is the honour of being called by God in Christ."
The Christmas message is Emmanuel - "God with us." A motto for 1999 could be
"Strive to be with Him."
Fear him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear;
Make you his service your delight,
Your needs shall be his care.
W.W.