This is an entry from my journal on August 5th, 2024. I thought I’d share, hoping it may help someone.
The Gap & The Gain
Living in the Gap means comparing my life today to an unachievable ideal – a horizon that is constantly moving and unreachable. The realization that this goal is always out of reach brings forth misery, despair, and depression.
Living in the Gain means comparing my life to the past in order to see how far I’ve come, or in this case, how far God has brought me. In the day to day we don’t see flowers grow, children mature, or lives change. It is only in looking back that we see how much things have changed; how far we’ve come, how much trail we’ve covered. (Better understand the concept of Gap & Gain by clicking here)
Do Not Grow Stubborn
I was reminded of this today while praying the Invitatory Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. This prayer, most often Psalm 95, is said before praying through the Office of Readings. These particular verses come near the end of the psalm/prayer each day.
Today, listen to the voice of the Lord; Do not grow stubborn as your fathers did in the wilderness when at Meribah and Massah they challenged me and provoked me although they had seen all of my works. (Psalm 95:7-9)
The “fathers” had seen all of God’s works: the freeing of His people from Egypt, the plagues, the Passover, the parting of the Red Sea, the manna and quail, the water from the rock, the Commandments, the pillars of fire and smoke, and so much more.
It’s as though God is saying, “Do not be like your fathers in the desert. They chose to live in the Gap. They judged me! They only looked forward, seeing what they did not have, what they could not attain. With this, their faith and trust in me waivered. Rather, listen to my voice today, each moment. When you are tempted to doubt, look to the Gain, remember how far they came; remember all that I did for them. I am doing the same now even though you cannot see it in the moment. In the moment the flower appears to be still, stagnated by time. Yet, it is growing, it is thriving! Compare the flower to what it was yesterday not to what is has not yet become! ‘Are you not much more valuable than they’?”
Be Patient with God
In the moment be as patient with God as he is with you. “Today, listen to the voice of the Lord.” He is working in your life today! Do not fret about tomorrow. Live in the Gain!
Another “Gain” psalm is psalm 37:25-26. Here the psalmist is looking back over his life:
I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging bread.
He is ever giving liberally and lending,
and his children become a blessing.
Reminders
- Live, listen, and wait.
- Be patient and trust.
- Remember all He has done for you.
- Look back in order to move forward.
- Look forward in joyful hope.
- Ride the wave of gratitude
- These are the key to happiness!
James M. Hahn, Author 