“May the work of change never overshadow or overwhelm the bright vision of who I am becoming.”
These words recognize and highlight a few basic truths about life. First, that life is about change. Perhaps the only constant in this modern life is that of change. Technology marches ahead, whether we like it or not. The pandemic introduced a whole host of psycho-social changes not previously anticipated. Today I practice law by making court appearances over Zoom, wearing a suit and tie with blue jeans and athletic shoes. Judges are donning their black robes at home and appearing before green screens with digital courtrooms behind them. I represent corporate clients headquartered throughout the US, and I enter my appearance in California workers’ compensation courts from Boston, Honolulu, and sometimes Southern California.
We went through unprecedented social-distancing and emotional isolation over the past couple years due to the pandemic. Our children had to graduate via socially distanced or remote “graduation ceremonies.” We had to wear masks all over the place. And many lost their jobs for a time. Life happens and changes occur.
Second, these words remind us that we ought not to let change overshadow or overwhelm. We do not know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future. And the Jesus of Nazareth, who came down from Heaven to die for you and me – and rose again that awesome Sunday two thousand years ago – is not going to leave us where he found us. He has a bright vision of where we are headed and who we are becoming, individually and collectively. That should comfort and encourage.
I recall my first day on campus as a student at La Sierra University. It was fall of 1985, and it was only my third time venturing outside of the Hawaiian Islands. I was eighteen years old and uncertain about what God had planned. But encouraging teachers helped me not only academically but emotionally, as I overcame homesickness to thrive in the rigorous academic program La Sierra provided. I typed term papers on a manual typewriter and saved quarters to call Hawaii using the payphone. La Sierra was a safe harbor where I could be prepared to sail the seven seas. It is where my faith was deepened, rubbing elbows with and growing together with likeminded pilgrims finding our way in this adventure called Life.
And this is where I met my wife, Noemi. She was the most important gift I received during my time at La Sierra as a student. Today, more than thirty years later, and with four adult children, we pray that they too find love – and find God Who Is Love. The words of First John chapter four have profound meaning for me as a parent: “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence….” I received the complete package from La Sierra – a couple of degrees, a loving wife, and a faith to sustain me during the highs and lows, the valleys and the mountaintops, of life.
David A. Pendleton is an alumnus of La Sierra University and Loma Linda University and is an attorney, a former elected state legislator and administrative law judge from Hawaii.
These reflections stand alone, but if you want to enjoy the prayers from May It Be So that they’re based on, please click here to request a copy of the book.