How We Got Here

It was going to be a wonderful evening with an elegant dinner and a special Christmas concert. A group of us had elected, just this once, to celebrate in style, and we had arrived in a long white limousine with uniformed driver! In our holiday finery, we stood waiting in the hall for our names to be called. But when almost everyone had already been conducted to their seats, we began to worry a bit. It was obvious, wasn’t it, that we too were here for the party? Should we ask the hostess if there was going to be a place for all of us? Should we tell one of the escorts that we did indeed have tickets? Were we going to be snubbed? No, we decided, we would just wait and see what happened, and one party-goer expressed it for everyone, “Never mind, we know how we got here.”

Sometimes we look with almost-envy at individuals who have acquired something we would like to have too, who have the home or the marriage or the job that is our own ideal. We see those who have achieved something we have longed for ourselves and have been denied. But we don’t know how they got there! We see those who have capacities and personal traits we wish we had, influence and abilities—and even faith. But we don’t know how they got there! A young woman once told a prominent Christian leader, “Oh, I’d give everything to be like you,” and he replied, “My dear, that’s just what it will cost you.” She didn’t realize how he got there.

In all likelihood, someone is watching you and me, wishing they could have what we have or be what we are. We may have worked hard and prayed hard, but the truth is, we’re not really self-made. The old hymn, Amazing Grace, says it well: “Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ‘tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” Never mind honor or personal acclaim. We know how we got here.

MaryMartha
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Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com