What Do You Want in 2004?
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COLUMN: Field Notes
What Do You Want in 2004?
by Michael E. Brooks
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you" (Matt. 7:7).
Many have observed, "be careful what you ask for,
you might receive it." Perhaps the best known
illustration of this principle was legendary King
Midas, whose wish for the "golden touch" turned
into tragedy.
I observed a real life example a few years ago in
Nepal's Chitwan National Park. Several groups of
tourists made daily excursions into the jungle
looking for some of the native plants, birds and
animals preserved there. Especially prized were
sightings of the endangered one horned Asian
rhinoceros. Such sightings were made more easily
and with much greater safety from the backs of
domesticated elephants, but each day groups also
hiked the trails, looking for rhinos.
One morning our group returned from a different
activity to find some of the day's hikers in a
mood of great excitement. They had seen rhinos!
But they had not just seen them; they had actually
experienced a mother rhino's charge, when they
came upon her and her calf and got too close. To
say they got more than they had hoped for is
undoubtedly a great understatement. Fortunately
there were no injuries, but the situation was one
of great danger.
Wishes are often rashly and hastily expressed. We
want something, but do not consider all the
ramifications of what the gratification of that
desire will be. Young couples want a baby, often
without really making the commitment to financial
responsibility, discipline and the nurture and
guidance that the child will definitely require.
Young people desire to "grow up", but again
without thinking through the responsibilities of
adulthood.
This is the beginning of a new year. It is
traditionally a time of goal setting and
resolution. Have you thought through all your
goals, all your hopes for the year? Are you
prepared for the responsibilities and consequences
which achieving them will entail? Remember, our
Lord promises that we will receive that for which
we ask him. Setting goals and making resolutions
is a good thing, but only if we do so
thoughtfully, responsibly, and with the commitment
of which the goals are worthy.
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