| I harbor absolutely no ideas that God operates His universe primarily for my personal and temporal comfort or happiness. Clearly, He does provide things generally that are comfortable for mankind. He also provides for me in ways that make my personal experience of life more comfortable. He even gives me things to which I have no entitlement, good things that I don't earn and for which there is no good reason found in me. But, I also find there are times when I think I have done everything by the book and maybe "earned" the right to expect things to be done in a certain way. | ||
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Think about Mom
in that context. Why her? Why now? Is there something she did that
led to her disability? Is there something I did or you did that led to
her illness? That sort of cause and effect is probably way to
self-centered to be applicable here (remember the blind beggar--who
sinned, this man or his parents?). It seems equally self centered to
think that God will change things now, just because I pray for some
intervention once, twice, or even every night for three years. He
certainly does answer prayer. He certainly does use prayer as the means
by which He accomplishes His purposes. But how do you know when enough
is enough.
My view is that when you are tired and outside forces convince you the situation is hopeless, you (editorially speaking) give up and stop seeking that intervention. But don't forget the "squeaky wheel" principal, or parabolicly speaking the woman who just would not quit bothering the king. Ultimately, she got what she asked for. This thought process gives me another reason to avoid the "deduction" and to avoid giving up hope: that is giving up, giving in and halting the prayers for intervention is an indication that God has chosen not to act. |
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I don't know the point. I don't know the reason. But I can't help but
think that God works all things according to His purposes. . .
In that context, let me suggest one purpose that makes sense. I have never seen a more devoted husband than Dad. He certainly must be overwhelmed in many ways. He must be disappointed. He must be saddened by all these events. You would expect that he would complain that he is having to sacrifice; that he is having to be the servant; that he is not getting what he signed up for, or even what he is entitled to. Not once have I ever sensed any of those attitudes. I see a man who loves his wife no matter what. He loves her in a sentimental and emotional way, but he loves her in a way that shows that he can give up things he could otherwise have, and he gives them up without any noticeable resentment. That being said, you might think that I am assuming you and I are so important in God's eyes, or we need educating on these points such that Mom's difficulties are balanced by the benefit to us from seeing the object lesson. Not so. I have to believe this is being played out to an audience much larger than us. The angels and those who have gone before us seem to watch and learn. The focus of their observation is not the actors, but the metaphor for which we stand. Dad's love for Mom is a picture of Jesus and His love for us. |
These are the words of my brother, Dave, who is trying desperately NOT to sound like a preacher!
But I think it's a powerful sermon anyway, as is my dad's life.