Nature of existence

“Once upon a time there was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.

“Maybe,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed.

“Maybe,” replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

“Maybe,” answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

“Maybe,” said the farmer.”

–Zen Parable

Nature: the basic or inherent features of something, especially when seen as characteristic of it.

So the physical environment dictates what a flower is going to look like. The nature of a flower is its appearance that changes due to environmental variables.

The story is talking about good and bad events happening to a farmer. His neighbors emotions wavered with each occurrence but the farmer remained essentially at peace. Also notice they wavered with deciding good or bad “luck”. What is luck? Is it by luck that one year a flower may sprout and colors be more brilliant making it a likelier target for bees and giving it a better chance to be pollinated? The story shows there’s high and lows to life and it’s not based on luck. What is it based on then? Is there a calculated amount of effort one can put into life that dictates our outcome? Not necessarily, two people can train as hard as possible but only one can win the race. What does that mean for the one that comes in second place?

If our emotions waver with how our lives appear in the physical sense, yes the nature of our existence is dependent upon the natural world, but when one puts their faith in Jesus that no matter how our situation appears on the outside there is a purpose that is ultimately good, there’s power in that to remain as the farmer. That power is hope. I know that God is real, Jesus walked this earth, and the Bible is the Word of God meaning it is all true. Every word and that gives me hope. Now I waver in my faith because I am flawed and working through sanctification. God is good all the time. I’d rather determine the nature of my existence and not let the world change me. I’ve lived both ways and the old way for many more years. I’m 35 now I was saved when I was 33. I might not be able to find the right words to convince anyone but there isn’t one things that can be said or event that can happen that will make me think otherwise. God is real, he loves us. Jesus loves us so much that he willingly let man crucify him so that each one of us will have a chance. A chance for each of us to decide truly the “nature of our existence”.

Events, like with the farmer, are not inherently good or bad it’s up to us to choose. That is with everything in life, our choices creates our realities. I told someone the other day “we might not know how roads are created, but any road that leads to God is worth the drive” that’s hard to remember when one is in the middle of a season but it remains true regardless of our circumstances. My life hasn’t been easy driving, and it hasn’t been as hard as another’s journey but I know that my statement remains true for anyone. It’s up for each to decide, we all have free will.

“Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”

Matthew 18:14 KJV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 KJV

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 KJV

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7 KJV