The Mysterious Lagoon
The important thing isn’t what others say or do, but rather how we respond to the actions of others. Think of all the words, phrases, comments, actions, pleas, suggestions, and orders that come your way each day. Now think of how you tend to respond to them. You might respond out of love and respect, regardless of how you were treated. Or you might lash out in an angry tone, hoping to silence an accusing voice or get even with someone who wronged you.
The effect our responses have on our lives is the backdrop for “The Mysterious Lagoon” we read about in Phase 3. As you’ll recall, this allegory involved Explorer and The Guide. The Guide had cautioned Explorer to bring to Him every situation he encountered in the lagoon. Because unless The Guide were behind the response, Explorer was certain to respond out of his own heart, which would create a toxic environment that would kill him over time.
The lagoon, as we learned, is our own mind. And just as Explorer learned that by his own words and actions he could turn the pleasant lagoon into a dark and murky mess, we face the same choices regarding how we will respond to circumstances we encounter each day.
Explorer had no control over the actions of others in the lagoon. But he did have choices in how he would respond. Explorer learned that if he responded in whatever way seemed best to him, he polluted the environment he had to live in. On the other hand, when he turned to The Guide for direction, The Guide responded for him. And The Guide’s responses always produced life rather than death.
If we instinctively respond in whatever way seems best to us, we will always miss the mark. Even when we love someone and want to respond to them with unconditional love, we won’t be able to. This is why we must abide in Him at all times and in all circumstances. In Christ, He becomes our source and response in every situation. As Christ’s response becomes our response, His love flows through us. When that happens, not only do the ones we are interacting with experience Christ’s love, but so do we as it creates the environment we live in. Consider how much life is contained in just these few verses of scripture:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
In every area of life, we reap what we sow. That is why the important thing isn’t what others say or do, but rather how we respond to the actions of others. From out of our own hearts, the future issues of our lives are formed. We are never immune from the results of our own reactions.