Monopoly... Hopscotch... Twister... Pin the Tail on the Donkey... Guesstures....
Games are either played for sheer enjoyment or--for the more competitive players-- for the sheer enjoyment of winning. Why is it, then, that we insist on playing some games that are not enjoyable and are not even designed to have a winner?
In Genesis 3:12, God asks Adam a question regarding his actions, and instead of a direct answer, he responds with, "The woman..." Likewise, God asks Eve a question about her actions and she responds with, "The serpent..." In both cases, neither Adam or Eve were willing to take responsibility for their own actions. They chose, instead, to play the Blame Game.
Any of you that have or spend time around children recognize when one child is trying to place blame on someone else. It's much like the situation with Adam and Eve--you ask one child about his or her actions and the immediate response somehow involves someone else's name.
Some of us never outgrow the blame game. We refuse to take responsibility for our own actions and try to rationalize or excuse our behavior. Sadly, this perspective even spills over into our spiritual lives as some of us even dare to blame God for our troubles. We get angry at God for choices that WE make, as if God exists only to please us and make life nice, neat and pretty for us so that we never face hardships in this life.
We even use natural disasters as an opportunity to question God's existence. "How can a benevolent God allow or cause such destruction?" we ask. Reminds me of what one of the thieves said to Jesus on the cross, "if you are the Son of God, get us down from here!"
With that logic, God can only be God based on a humanistic, self-centered definition of God as a being that eliminates all suffering in this life. The problem is that, the things we blame on God are often tragedies that result from human failings, not God's.
The Washington Post ran an article on 2-23-10 by Joel Achenbach entitled, Under the World's Greatest Cities, Deadly Plates. The article was about massive earthquakes, like the one that recently devastated Haiti. It explains, "It is not the tremor that kills people in an earthquake but the buildings, routinely constructed on the cheap, using faulty designs and, in some cities, overseen by corrupt inspectors. The difference between life and death is often a matter of how much sand went into the cement or how much steel into a supporting column. Earthquakes might be viewed as acts of God, but their lethality is often a function of masonry. "
So, instead of insisting on higher standards for engineering and construction of buildings and providing the resources for the improvements, we shake our fists at God and use our pain as a convenient excuse for rejecting God's commandments or for outright rejection of God's existence.
Why is there poverty and suffering in the world? The reasons are too varied to sum up here, but there is certainly a measure of human greed, evil and indifference involved--none of which characterize God, but all of which can characterize us.
Let's not blame God or others for the misfortunes we experience in life. No one wins at that game--neither the "blame-er" or the "blame-ee." And, disappointments in life (which are most likely traced back to some man-made failure or shortcoming) should not be used as an excuse to throw our faith away and do whatever "feels right." For, there is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end is destruction.
God's ways may not always be crystal clear to us, but that's where faith and trust come in. A speaker at a marriage conference I recently attended said, "I don't understand everything I know." I love it! Just think about it. How many of us really understand the intricacies of how various technologies work? We don't understand how they work, but we know with full confidence that they do work.
If national or personal tragedies and challenges have shaken your faith, don't just blame God and turn away. That's an easy way out, but a difficult road back. It's o.k. to ask God "Why?" as long as you are willing to spend some quiet time actually listening to and reflecting on God's response, not your own answers. Do some soul searching about what the challenge may be showing you about yourself and areas where God wants to draw closer to you and strengthen you.
Let's help the blame game become like an old worn out game that hasn't been played in so long that no one remembers how to play it and no one would want to play it even if they could.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
A weekly posting of encouraging and challenging thoughts about life from Rev. Karen W. Curry, a pastor's wife and mother of two who is also --in her "spare time"-- a dynamic preacher, teacher, motivational speaker, facilitator, writer, reviewer, poet, MC, liturgical dance/drama consultant and storyteller. Contact Rev. Karen at BNcouraged247@msn.com to speak at your next service or retreat.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
His Story IS History
History. I never appreciated the subject when I was in school. I always thought it was pointless to study things that took place long ago. "What does this have to do with today?" is the question I used to ask.
Now that I'm older and have quite a bit of my own history behind me, I can appreciate how reflecting on what "was" provides a better understanding of what "is" and what "will be."
Today, Wednesday February 17, 2010 marks the first day of Lent, a time of fasting and repentence in preparation for Easter. This solemn practice dates back many years to the earliest days of the church and will certainly continue until Kingdom come. However, there are some in the church today who don't know anything about Lent. There are also those who do know about it, but merely observe Lent out of tradition without taking the time to travel back in time to study its origins and connection to Jesus' 40-day fast and His ultimate sacrifice.
Without an appreciation and understanding of the history of Lent, the fasting and other acts of self-denial and charity are no more than diets and things to suffer through.
When we fully recognize that His story (Jesus's) is the beginning of our story we will be better able to appreciate how observing this time of self-examination and self-denial leads to personal growth and a closer relationship with the One who loves us more than anyone else.
When we understand that His story IS history--the true revelation of what was and is and is to come--we can keep moving forward to see what the end will be, and we know that end is victory, for we are "more than conquerers through Christ Jesus." We won't allow the drama and trauma of life in the "now" make us forget what was and what will be.
When we think about His story of unconditional love for us demonstrated through His life, death, burial and resurrection, we are even free to "love like we mean it" (shout out to Family Life ministries!) because we know what love really means.
As you look back through your own history, if you look closely and prayerfully, you will see threads of HIS story all along the way--times of tortuous testing, tumultous trials, and troubling temptations all toppled by total triumph!
History is a great teacher and a great motivator. But HIS story is a wellspring of love, hope, joy, strength and peace that surpasses all understanding.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Now that I'm older and have quite a bit of my own history behind me, I can appreciate how reflecting on what "was" provides a better understanding of what "is" and what "will be."
Today, Wednesday February 17, 2010 marks the first day of Lent, a time of fasting and repentence in preparation for Easter. This solemn practice dates back many years to the earliest days of the church and will certainly continue until Kingdom come. However, there are some in the church today who don't know anything about Lent. There are also those who do know about it, but merely observe Lent out of tradition without taking the time to travel back in time to study its origins and connection to Jesus' 40-day fast and His ultimate sacrifice.
Without an appreciation and understanding of the history of Lent, the fasting and other acts of self-denial and charity are no more than diets and things to suffer through.
When we fully recognize that His story (Jesus's) is the beginning of our story we will be better able to appreciate how observing this time of self-examination and self-denial leads to personal growth and a closer relationship with the One who loves us more than anyone else.
When we understand that His story IS history--the true revelation of what was and is and is to come--we can keep moving forward to see what the end will be, and we know that end is victory, for we are "more than conquerers through Christ Jesus." We won't allow the drama and trauma of life in the "now" make us forget what was and what will be.
When we think about His story of unconditional love for us demonstrated through His life, death, burial and resurrection, we are even free to "love like we mean it" (shout out to Family Life ministries!) because we know what love really means.
As you look back through your own history, if you look closely and prayerfully, you will see threads of HIS story all along the way--times of tortuous testing, tumultous trials, and troubling temptations all toppled by total triumph!
History is a great teacher and a great motivator. But HIS story is a wellspring of love, hope, joy, strength and peace that surpasses all understanding.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Shortcuts Can Lead to Dead Ends
People are always looking for shortcuts.
Some of us spend more time looking for shortcuts than it would take to just do whatever it is we're trying to cut short. By the time we have finished researching the shortcut and actually trying it, we sometimes sadly discover that what we thought was a shortcut only left us short--short of our goal, short of our destination and short on time when we have to make up time lost from following the so-called shortcut!
I was helping my daughter with a reading comprehension exercise and, when it came time for her to answer multiple choice questions about a story she was supposed to read, she decided to take a "shortcut." One question mentioned something about the last line of the paragraph and so she looked only at the last line instead of the entire paragraph. She then selected the answer that had some of the same wording as the line she read. She was confident she had her answer!She was probably thinking to herself, "This test is too easy! It's just too good to be true!" It was.
She failed to realize that what she had fallen for was an age-old testing tactic designed especially for those who place shortcuts over hard work. The last line of the paragraph did not provide the answer to the question. The only way to correctly answer the question would be to read the entire passage in order to fully understand what the last line actually meant. As a stand-alone sentence, the last line appeared to mean one thing. But read in context with the whole passage, it meant something else.
How many times have we fallen for the temptation to take a shortcut that we just "know" will allow us to reap a great reward without great effort? I don't mean carefully and prayerfully studying a situation and seeking the most direct route. I mean trying to cut out things that are important to the process and missing the value of the process. Often the process is where the most growth occurs, yet we race around, up, and over the process frantically trying to reach the end....
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12)
Let's face it. In this life, half of the time we're not sure where we going, and when we do at least have an idea of where we're going, we don't always like the route we have to take to get there. We don't want to give up anything, but we want to gain everything. So what do we do?
The book of Proverbs is full of Godly wisdom to help us successfully navigate life's twists, turns and temptations. In it we find that, "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty." More plainly stated, "Wealth from get-rich schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows." (Proverbs 21:5, 13:11, New Living Translation)
Whatever decision you are facing right now, ask God to give you the wisdom and strength to make the decision that will yield the best overall outcome, not just the quickest or easiest. And, while you're at it, take time to enjoy the ride. Life rushes past us quickly enough as it is --there's no need to cut it any shorter.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Some of us spend more time looking for shortcuts than it would take to just do whatever it is we're trying to cut short. By the time we have finished researching the shortcut and actually trying it, we sometimes sadly discover that what we thought was a shortcut only left us short--short of our goal, short of our destination and short on time when we have to make up time lost from following the so-called shortcut!
I was helping my daughter with a reading comprehension exercise and, when it came time for her to answer multiple choice questions about a story she was supposed to read, she decided to take a "shortcut." One question mentioned something about the last line of the paragraph and so she looked only at the last line instead of the entire paragraph. She then selected the answer that had some of the same wording as the line she read. She was confident she had her answer!She was probably thinking to herself, "This test is too easy! It's just too good to be true!" It was.
She failed to realize that what she had fallen for was an age-old testing tactic designed especially for those who place shortcuts over hard work. The last line of the paragraph did not provide the answer to the question. The only way to correctly answer the question would be to read the entire passage in order to fully understand what the last line actually meant. As a stand-alone sentence, the last line appeared to mean one thing. But read in context with the whole passage, it meant something else.
How many times have we fallen for the temptation to take a shortcut that we just "know" will allow us to reap a great reward without great effort? I don't mean carefully and prayerfully studying a situation and seeking the most direct route. I mean trying to cut out things that are important to the process and missing the value of the process. Often the process is where the most growth occurs, yet we race around, up, and over the process frantically trying to reach the end....
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12)
Let's face it. In this life, half of the time we're not sure where we going, and when we do at least have an idea of where we're going, we don't always like the route we have to take to get there. We don't want to give up anything, but we want to gain everything. So what do we do?
The book of Proverbs is full of Godly wisdom to help us successfully navigate life's twists, turns and temptations. In it we find that, "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty." More plainly stated, "Wealth from get-rich schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows." (Proverbs 21:5, 13:11, New Living Translation)
Whatever decision you are facing right now, ask God to give you the wisdom and strength to make the decision that will yield the best overall outcome, not just the quickest or easiest. And, while you're at it, take time to enjoy the ride. Life rushes past us quickly enough as it is --there's no need to cut it any shorter.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Born Free
When we are born, regardless of the status or culture we are born into, we are all born free. First of all, the umbilical cord is cut, freeing us from the literal, physical connection to our mothers. With regard to our spirit and psyche, we are also set free--free to be angry and free to be joyful, free to praise and free to curse, free to obey and free to disobey, free to sin and free not to.
Because we are born in sin and shaped in inquity, we don't have to be taught to choose to do things like lie or be deceitful, those things come naturally. We do, however, have to learn how to make other choices --how to use our freedom responsibly and for the greater good.
Our natural births do give us a measure of freedom, but the more we look around, we see that there are so many things lurking about to draw us into bondage, making our freedom sometimes seem not so "free."
Human beings are easily and readily drawn into bondage and addictions--whether it's food, love, plastic surgery,violence, video games, texting, Tweeting, or Facebooking--you name it. If it exists and provides even the slightest bit of pleasure, we can become addicted to it.
The reason we become addicted is because, in reality, those things can never be enough. They are emotional (and sometimes chemical) appetizers, always giving just enough to keep wetting our appetites for more, yet never giving us enough to get full.
That's why, although we are born "free" we need to be "born again" in order to really experience freedom. We can't change the situations we are born into--we can't change the beginning of our life's story--but we can certainly choose the ending. It doesn't matter where we come from. What matters is where we're going.
If life is getting the best of you or someone you know, just do what the kids call a "do over." Start over by accepting God's generous gift of love to us through Jesus Christ and be "born again." Find a church home where you can learn what it truly means to be born again and walk in a new direction. Get into a bible study where you can ask questions and learn how to appreciate God's Word and see it in action in your everyday life.
If you've already accepted Jesus Christ into your life, let the commitment you made years ago be "born again" today as you recapture the child-like faith that leads to unconditional acceptance of and excitement about the gift of salvation.
Don't just give up and walk around like the living dead. Remember....you were born free and "whom the Son sets free is free, indeed!"
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Because we are born in sin and shaped in inquity, we don't have to be taught to choose to do things like lie or be deceitful, those things come naturally. We do, however, have to learn how to make other choices --how to use our freedom responsibly and for the greater good.
Our natural births do give us a measure of freedom, but the more we look around, we see that there are so many things lurking about to draw us into bondage, making our freedom sometimes seem not so "free."
Human beings are easily and readily drawn into bondage and addictions--whether it's food, love, plastic surgery,violence, video games, texting, Tweeting, or Facebooking--you name it. If it exists and provides even the slightest bit of pleasure, we can become addicted to it.
The reason we become addicted is because, in reality, those things can never be enough. They are emotional (and sometimes chemical) appetizers, always giving just enough to keep wetting our appetites for more, yet never giving us enough to get full.
That's why, although we are born "free" we need to be "born again" in order to really experience freedom. We can't change the situations we are born into--we can't change the beginning of our life's story--but we can certainly choose the ending. It doesn't matter where we come from. What matters is where we're going.
If life is getting the best of you or someone you know, just do what the kids call a "do over." Start over by accepting God's generous gift of love to us through Jesus Christ and be "born again." Find a church home where you can learn what it truly means to be born again and walk in a new direction. Get into a bible study where you can ask questions and learn how to appreciate God's Word and see it in action in your everyday life.
If you've already accepted Jesus Christ into your life, let the commitment you made years ago be "born again" today as you recapture the child-like faith that leads to unconditional acceptance of and excitement about the gift of salvation.
Don't just give up and walk around like the living dead. Remember....you were born free and "whom the Son sets free is free, indeed!"
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
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