Life Themes – Past, Present and Future

I seem to still be reflecting upon life themes more closely.

I have modified my own life theme list into two sections, not necessarily in a particular order and in each section one single thing may come and go from the forefront of the intersections of past, present and future…

But, basically the first section involves my observation of my own life themes in terms of challenges or conflicts based on situations beginning at birth, and technically before birth, since they are in large part a continuation of family and generational issues and dysfunctions that we all find ourselves born into.

The second grouping would be life themes in response to these challenges. Hopefully I am now expressing more clearly (a number of my writings here and on social media have mentioned life themes, as I am working out this particular idea…) that when I’m thinking about life themes my purpose and intent is not simply negativity or being stuck in one thing! If there are those who have never struggled in these ways then that is wonderful. The world needs all of us to interact and cross-pollinate in positive ways!

This morning I am remembering something I keep in one of my little jewelry box of miscellaneous life treasures. One of the first Christian retreats I went on during college with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, during a period in my life where I had experienced a radical life-changing shift and commitment toward God, I remember we sat around a campfire and were given little (very little!) sticky labels and told to consider everyone in the group and write down one thing or maybe two I forget, that comes to mind as a word that you would use to describe that person.

I’m sure that some people I barely knew nor they barely knew me.

Then we went around and stuck our labels on each person’s garment.

Ha… I really don’t know how this thing survived all these years but it did! I suppose I keep certain things for certain reasons and they find some nook and cranny to travel all the miles that they do.

In 2020 I wrote a blogpiece which may explain more the genesis of my growing and continued interest in exploring my own life themes and those of others. The piece reflects on a strange strange college class (and I think we all on some level thought the professor was a little crazy and definitely not conventional!) that I find years later still teaching me, at times, useful things and ideas.

I do enjoy dialogue and give-and-take hearing, speaking and other interactive musings, although, it can often be quite a challenge for me, and for others, too, I imagine…

Since I’m thinking about campfires and other things… such as personal and family struggles, not the least to mention marriages, divorces, parenting, children and… that my son has fathered twins (see big smile emoji!!!) I am also reminded of a song by the Avett Brothers that is quite nice that I will link here.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.”

~ Isaiah 43:2

Thank you for reading, and your continued prayers. I think there are a lot of answered prayers happening in a number of small or large ways on many of my battlefronts I face, and those I love and care about face, although they are not yet fully clear and revealing of the freedom and deliverance needed in some of these situations!

On the Christian calendar we are waiting and watching for the yearly observance of Christ our King’s physical resurrection as a sign of his power to deliver and to resurrect us all in numerous ways both spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. (Body~Soul~Spirit)

I would love to hear your comments about your own life themes as expressed in the patterned or thematic lifelong (or or more singularly limited, for example surrounding a particular time period or life event) struggles, and also, your own life themes as responses to these lifelong (or or more singularly limited, for example surrounding a particular time period or life event) struggles, and what life theme of Jesus you are most drawn to.

Like all of us, the life of Jesus seems to have a number of themes. I believe that first, I tend to see Him as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and suffering.

And though it may begin there, it does not end there…nor does His ultimate victories preclude, (but rather include), circulations back and forth into our past and present sorrows, griefs and sufferings...

Quick Bible References About Fire For Further Meditation