Sunday 16 February 2014

What are you doing now?

I was travelling on the train the other day. I settled down in my seat and made myself comfortable for the long journey ahead. Opposite me sat a man in his late fifties reading a newspaper. Just as the train was pulling out of the station another man entered our carriage hurriedly. The man sitting opposite looked up and recognised him immediately.

"Hello Jack ...." he greeted the newcomer, "haven't seen you for ages ... not since college days ..."

They sat together opposite me and went on for ages reminiscing about the past. I closed my eyes and hoped that the journey would soon be over. The original man sitting opposite went on to explain how he'd become Marketing Director of a large multinational firm, then he moved on elsewhere as Head of Sales and Marketing, and then as Head of this and that ... The list went on as he boasted on how well he'd done in life.

His friend had become a teacher. He joined a local school after leaving college and he'd been there ever since. He listened attentively at the long list of successes which his companion related and then asked him: "What are you doing now?"

The first man stopped in his tracks, swallowed deeply and admitted that he was out of work. He'd just attended an interview for a job in the City, but did not hold much hope. 

I suppose life isn't always easy and smooth for most of us. We all have our ups and downs. Yet, no matter what we did or who we were in the past; surely what is important is what we are doing right now.

We may be at work, in between jobs, or perhaps with no job at all. The important thing is to do something right now. The past is behind us and gone. Sure, we can learn from it and use our experience to shape our future as best we can. But there really is no point in dwelling on how successful we were then.

It's not where you've been that matters.

It's where you're going to!

6 comments:

  1. I was watching a Fr. Barron video this year, and he talked about the circle of life, and how we go around and around ... sometimes at the top, sometimes at the bottom. His point, however, is that Jesus is at the center, and if we can get off the circle and stay with Jesus, the ups and downs all become secondary. Your post reminded me of this.

    God Bless you.

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    Replies
    1. You're so right Michael. Often people focus on what they have done or been; perhaps distracting them from where they are now or what they are doing. Whereas in reality they should focus on God and all will become clear.

      God bless.

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  2. Hi Victor! I loved this. My husband has been unemployed for over a year and half, and not by choice.

    The truth is the truth, some people have great jobs. But we all have to keep in mind that some don't, or don't have one at all. And be sensitive to that.
    I am always reminding myself to be a 'prisoner of hope' as St. Paul says.

    You are right...it's where we are headed, not where we are.
    Still reading your book. Were you inspired by Fatima?
    Ceil

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    1. Hi Ceil,

      I am praying for your husband. I know how difficult it can be to be unemployed through no fault of one's own. Here in the UK the situation has become very difficult indeed.

      It's important to remember that not everyone has a great job and, regardless of what jobs we've had in the past, what we're doing now still matters to God.

      I hope you're enjoying my book. The reason I wrote it is because I've often wondered, especially when going to church on Sundays, how many people there REALLY believe. and WHAT do they believe.

      If their children (or my children) said they'd seen Jesus, how would they (and I) react? Would I trust and believe my children or would I shut them up for fear of what others might say. How would my priest react to my children's story? Who do I believe, my children or my doubting priest?

      God bless.

      Delete
  3. Thanks, Victor - this is an excellent post. Life certainly does have its ups and downs and this is a great reminder not to dwell on the past and to focus on the here and now. And to have hope for the future as well!

    God bless!

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    1. Thanx Mary. I've known people who dwell on their past glories and what great jobs they've had and this discourages them when right now they are in difficulties. Our ultimate goal (Heaven) should be our real focus.

      When I was a child my father said to me: Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. It was many years later that I discovered he was quoting Colossians 3:2.

      That sentence has stuck with me all my life.

      God bless you and yours.

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