Resilient is a great way to live life

Ioccasionally find myself in what I rather pejoratively describe as “touchy-feely” settings. I refer to those settings in such terms not because they are inherently bad, but because they aren’t well-suited to my personality.

It’s not uncommon in those kinds of meetings for the one leading to ask such questions as: “What colour best describes your mood?” Or “what animal would you be if you could choose?” Or “what weather system most accurately depicts your view of the future?”

As an introverted male, I don’t often think in terms of colours, weather systems or zebras.

I tend to forge straight ahead, often without much tact.

With that caveat, let me bluntly cut to the chase. What one word would you use to describe your life? Better stated, what one word would you like to describe your life?

If I was backed into a corner and asked that question, without a moment of hesitation, one of the top vote getters for my answer would be, “resilient.” I would like to live a resilient life.

To quote Gordon MacDonald, who I have often quoted on this page, “Resilient people are committed to finishing strong; they run inspired by a big-picture view of life; they run free of the weight of the past; they train to go the distance; and they run in the company of a ‘happy few.’”

“Resilient people believe that quitting is not an option. They know that ‘walking’ is unthinkable. They are convinced that building resilience is a daily pursuit. They despise aimlessness. They have the faces of champions.”

Each time I meet a resilient individual, I walk away inspired, desiring to be more that way myself.

Perhaps most encouraging to me is the number of resilient people I find described on the pages of the Holy Bible. People like me, who have messed up, but who, by the grace of God have made a comeback.

I think of Moses, who completely screwed up his first attempt to help his own people in captivity, who was later used by God to lead the Exodus.

I think of Esther, who got into the palace by winning a beauty pageant and then became one of the bravest people in thwarting massive genocide.

I think of King David, who had a horrible personal life that included adultery and murder, who then became one of the greatest forces for good in history.

I think of Gideon who was hiding down in a wine press, scared of the enemy, who then became the champion to confront that same enemy.

I think of Peter who at one point denied that he even knew who Jesus of Nazareth was, and who later became the primary spokesperson for the early Christian church. Resilient people. Resilience is not an act of personal determination or hubris, although both play a role.

It is more a reflection of grace and an awareness of the call of God on one’s life. If God has a purpose for my life, how dare I quit when the going gets tough.

This summer, several of my colleagues are joining me in devoting our full attention to building Resilient Lives.

You’ll be hearing more about it, because if I had to describe in one word how I want to live my life, this would be it.

Tim Schroeder is a pastor at Trinity Baptist Church.