The Mirage of Life

The longer one lives, the harder the journey, but the more refined the perspective.

In life, a mirage always exist on the journey that captures our attention, captivates our thinking, and directs our journey. The mirage is this false sense of future comfort and success that promises joy, peace, security, and even safety. The pull of the mirage is strong and the crowd follows. The perspective of one’s life is formed by the mirage. The crowd is lulled into believing that the success of life can be found in the mirage. All bets are placed on the arrival to this destination. Each season of life, there is a different destination that promises comfort and joy. When you step back and look at everyone’s journey, the paths are eerily similar.

Early in life, one looks to their own talents or popularity. The promise of fulfillment comes from athletics, arts, friends, maybe academics, something that captivates our attention. Maybe it is a passion or talent that we believe we were created to do. Our entire focus is on those things that seemingly help us belong, make us recognized, help us find our place in society. We arrive to our perceived destination only to find that the tank is still on empty. The mirage disappears.

So, we move on, and other mirages come into focus, catch our eye, and lead our journey. Money and our occupation is a strong pull. With this mirage, we get power, authority, respect in society. Money provides that “forever home” or the material possessions promised to bring fulfillment. An occupation puts a stamp on us telling the world that we have arrived, we have succeeded, we have achieved victory. Our spouse promises to offer peace and security and completeness. Fulfillment is certain during this season, but it doesn’t come. The mirage disappears.

With the next season, wisdom has increased, no doubt, but the wisdom is overcome by another mirage that appears in the distance. This mirage captivates and also has a strong pull. In our eyes, our kids become the more successful version of ourselves. We pump every dollar, every passion, every desire, into them. On their shoulders rests our peace, comfort, joy, place in society. But, at some point, the burden is just too heavy for our kids, and they take over their own lives, find their own passion, go their own way, not necessarily the way that we had planned. The sport, the talent, the university, the spouse, the occupation of our child that we had depended on so much does not come to fruition as we desired. This mirage disappears.

But, there is the last, certain place of security in the final season. A mirage of health appears. We do whatever it takes to live forever. We strive for the perfect body, the longer life. We have this mirage of a peaceful retirement that offers security at the beach or some other perfect place of solace. We long for the rest, but it never comes. Health wanes. This mirage, too, evaporates.

These are the seasons we will all travel, with everyone facing similar mirages in life. It is as if there is a sinister coach mapping out the playbook of our life. The coach lays out play after play, promising victory, but, only self defeat awaits. Seemingly, the only way to know the truth is to travel the path of life.

The right perspective changes things. Perspective turns the mirage of the season into the recognition of the gift from above. Perspective helps us look beyond the mirage and recognize that the gifts are temporary. The mirage is viewed as a gift for a season to be stewarded well. And, we know that all good gifts come from God.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

The gifts that we receive during each season should turn us to the worship of God, our Father. He is the ultimate Author of our journey, directing our steps, and He is ever-present with us during these seasons. He alone gives us the perspective needed to look beyond the mirage and put our hope in the One that will always be, recognizing the gifts of life.

But, the problem is that the perspective doesn’t tend to come until later in the journey. Only after we have traveled to the destination, do we realize the mirage of each season. Early perspective for the journey is a gift that only comes from the wisdom of God. This wisdom is a treasure that can only be found in His Word.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6

And, with this wisdom, one can bear fruit in each season.

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:1-3

One of the beauties of wisdom is that it is never too early or too late to be found. God clearly calls people to seek Him for this wisdom, no matter their current circumstances.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

But approach Him, not another, as true wisdom comes from Him. He is a God of grace, forgetting about the seasons where you may have missed it. He alone tosses aside the weights that you have carried, giving perspective and hope for the future.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Look away from the mirage and turn your eyes up. He’ll give you perspective that provides peace, hope, and security.

And, look up daily. His Words are a treasure offering the gift of perspective.

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