Quiet Desperation or Real Life

 

And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of His deeds in songs of joy.  Psalm 107:22 

“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go the grave with the song still in them.”  (Henry David Thoreau)  I got up from watching a movie called “Another Year” with this quote on my mind.  There was one couple in the movie that were presented as happily married with healthy relationships with each other and their son.

The other leading characters were leading lives of quiet desperation! They were drinking too much, talking too much, listening too little, they had been divorced, hated their jobs, and had no real relationships to speak of. There was no God at all in their lives – or in the movie.  They were friends with the married couple but only used them as a sounding board for their troubles.  

It was interesting to see how these desperate people turned to the married couple ( a geologist and a mental health therapist) for help, to vent, and to provide social interaction for them. It’s almost as if they were the gods in the lives of their friends.  It was a very sad movie as I thought about how many people we know and meet who live these lives of quiet desperation.  They did nothing to change or improve their situations. 

It is easiest for me to speak from the female perspective (because it’s the one I have!). Women tend to stuff their feelings until they explode. For some that’s a few weeks, for others a few months and for some it’s years and years. We tend to put off dealing with anything difficult in our lives util we have absolutely  had it and can’t take another minute. This is true in our relationships with friends, with spouses, and with work.  When we make changes it’s usually only to escape the pain and not to work on the hard problems to improve the situation.  We would rather cut and run than deal with the hard truths about ourselves. 

Sadly, this is as true for the Christian as it is for the non-Christian. These attitudes keep us from maturing in the faith.  In John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  I have met many Christians who are living in this promise.  I also know many who are so set on doing things their own way that they know little or nothing of the abundant life Jesus promises. 

The abundant life comes when we allow the Lord to lead.  He loves us so much that He has left us able to follow Him whole-heartedly.  He has left us His Word so we will know how to receive the abundant life.  Though God’s love for His own is unconditional – He loves us even in our sin, the abundant life is conditional.  We cannot live in sin and expect to live in the blessings of God.  He hates sin.

Along with God’s love and the promise of the abundant life, He also wants us to experience peace and joy in this life.  He warns us that when we love Him there will be trials and difficulties, even persecution.  But, if we abide in Him He also says that there will be joy and peace.    

John 15:7-11 says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Abide in My love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.  These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” 

What a fabulous promise!  If we abide in Christ we are living according to his Word, pleasing Him in our choices and in our relationships with others, worshipping Him and living with grateful hearts.  When we abide in Him He lives in us and these things are possible because of Him. We will want to obey his commands because when we experience the love of Jesus we want to bring glory to HIM!  Imagine abiding in Christ to the degree that we believe and trust that He will answer our prayers and be full of joy! 

The person who has the abiding presence of Jesus in them through the power of the Holy Spirit will not live a life of quiet desperation.  They will live a life of gratitude toward the Lord and love for other people.  They will know the blessings of obedience and wisdom.  The peace of God will abide in them.

It’s interesting to me that Thoreau finishes his thought that the one who lives a life of quiet desperation goes to the grave with the song still in him.  The opposite is true for the believer living the abundant life.  Praises to God for the one who knows the peace, love, and joy of the Lord cannot go to the grave unsung.  They are spontaneous and heartfelt.  

Though this life may not be easy or always fun, though we will face spiritual enemies, hardships, and physical pain, we have the hope of peace and joy now and in heaven forever.  We have something to sing about!  Let’s not go to the grave with that song unsung! 

There need not be any desperation in the life of the follower of Jesus Christ.