My students remarked that I looked tired today, but my demeanor stemmed more from something akin to sadness rather than tiredness per se.
First of all, in my English 3 PAP class, I was asked by a student, who practices Wiccan and has recently proclaimed himself to be homosexual, to tell what I believe about God. His Catholic classmate had described for him what she believed as a Catholic, as they were working on a project in class, comparing what the Puritans believed and what other religions practice, especially in the context of death. I told him simply that I believe that Jesus is God's Son, that He was born and lived on earth, was killed on the cross and was raised to life again, in order that I might have a relationship with God, the Father. At that point, his Catholic friend interjected that she believes that all religions basically lead to the same end, at which point I felt I must go back to my desk or risk saying more than I should in class. I felt tied in knots, wanting to say more, yet feeling that I risked "pushing religion" if I said more.
I would like to have said that I disagree. That no other world religion shows an infinitely powerful God, who loves mankind enough to give them/us the forgiveness that is impossible for us to earn. Some religions say man can earn that new life - by giving up everything sinful in life - including eating, drinking, etc - but never does God make the overture to man, except in the case of Christianity, and inherently in Judaism - though I'm not sure Judaism really understands the gift that God gave in His Son - first to them and later to the rest of the world. I believe that the seeds of Christianity are in Judaism and that one can find the God of Creation and the Universe within the Scriptures of the Hebrew people - but those Scriptures will lead them to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham.
Just a little later, I read a friend's FB status, reporting that the swelling in her son's foot, following being bitten by a copperhead on Saturday, had begun to subside below the threat of amputation of his foot. Recognizing the grace of God's healing at her son's return to health, she expressed her thanks - to god, buddha or muhammad or whoever. This remark, too, saddened me. How can otherwise bright young people simply ignore the miracles of God's grace in our lives everyday, much less in these times of distress and need. I realize that it's amazing to think that the God of the Universe might take notice of one small boy in a crowded city who needs healing and to give him His attention, but I also think it's rather miraculous that the Designer of the Universe also took the time to make such intricate detailed design on his butterflies and anemones (which very few people ever see) or the eagle's eye - who can spot his small prey from miles in the air. WOW! And then, lest we overwhelm ourselves with thinking we must be presuming to believe that God would do all this for us - we must remember that it was NOT for us He did all these amazing things - it was for His pleasure! You and I were created for His pleasure! Now, if that doesn't touch my heart - to realize that I have been created for His pleasure - not my own! Uh-oh! Now you will try to tell me that the Universe does not revolve around me after all!!!
Well, I have just preached myself a sermon now. Hmmmmm! Looks like I need to get my life right - and right away - because I am not my own. I was bought with a price and there is an expectation of value when a price has been paid, don't you think?! Lord, help me to live a life worthy of Your name, in recognition of all that You have already done for me.
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3 comments:
I don't quite agree with the idea that God did NOT create us for his pleasure. Rather, I would say that he created us because God Is Love. Not God can be described as loving but rather that he is the foundation and source of Love. That his nature is Love. God is Love, Love is God. God = Love. Love is more than vauge invisible force weaving through time, but an active real person.
He takes pleasure in creation, and our pleasure is his pleasure. Its like with a child.
Why do parents have a child? For their own pleasure. For the childs pleasure. Simply because of Love. Its not an either or, but both which find fullness in Love.
David, perhaps you got mixed up in the negatives, but just to make sure we understand one another - I said that God DID make us for His pleasure. In your comment, you said that I said God did NOT create us for His pleasure. The point that I had made was that God did NOT create the universe, just for our pleasure, but for His own pleasure. I do not argue with your point - that God creates because He is Love, that He loves us and all His creation, and all that you said. Thanks for the thoughts added.
Yeah, mixed up negative. I think that the Love thing really solves the issue because the pleasure is not some how divorced from the thing. Why do people marry? Why do they have a child? Its not a utilitarian decision for our or their pleasure.
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