Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.

This is a justly famous passage, beautifully set to music, and it has meaning on a number of different levels. It got into this list of Scriptures on repentance because genuine repentance often involves tears. However, the fruit of repentance is peace and joy. There are many things we approach with dread, but there are blessings on the other side which we don’t yet see. The ultimate example of that is death. For the person apart from God, there is every reason to be terrified of it, but for the person who has committed themselves to Jesus Christ as Lord by faith, there really should be joyful anticipation. And of course, there are many things shy of death that produce much the same reaction. We tend to fear change, all the more so as we age. Habits become comfortable, and we desire for things to remain as they are, regardless of whether they are actually optimal. The thing is, nothing living is genuinely static. Jesus used the picture of a seed “dying,” being “buried” in the ground, before it could fulfill its true purpose, referring actually to Himself. (John 12:24) We are never meant to be unchanging; only God is unchanging. (Malachi 3:6) It is important to remember that God accepts us as we are, but He never leaves us as we are. He is constantly drawing us “onward and upward,” to use C. S. Lewis’ phrase in The Last Battle. That often involves repentance, as we recognize things in us that need to change, and it always involves growth, spiritually and emotionally. Those who refuse to grow are pathetic indeed.

This is very much in focus for me, because yesterday I fulfilled my last responsibility to The Koyo Schools and am officially retired from school teaching. To say that it’s easy would be an outright lie, but it is certainly an opportunity for growth. I am definitely understanding what a blessing it was for my father never to have to retire, going directly from anesthesia to heaven at 64. At the same time, I can see many possibilities for what God might have for me in the time from now to my own graduation, however long that might be. In past years this time of year has always been a more relaxed schedule, since the Japanese school year ends in March and starts up again in April, but it certainly feels different! I have never been one to set up a schedule apart from outside calls on my time, but that is precisely what I need to start doing now. I am all too familiar with the frustration that builds up when I’m wasting time, and I don’t want to fall into that trap. At the same time, I’m not to reject relaxation and rest the Lord wants to give me. There are plenty of things I could do that would be beneficial, and I need to let the Lord guide me in prioritizing and scheduling them, particularly if they are things I don’t particularly want to do! And He just reminded me that He got me started on my autobiography. Getting that completed will certainly require scheduling! I need to have joyful anticipation of all the Lord has for me to do in the days and years ahead, whatever that is.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for reminding me on Monday that Your power is far greater than my weaknesses. Help me walk in joyful anticipation of and participation in what You want to do through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!