POINTS WITHOUT OPTION

Why did this happen? I’m sure most of us have asked that question at some time in our life. And if one is a Christian it can be even harder to come to terms with when we assume God should be watching over our every step. Even though I believe that is true, I also understand he doesn’t spare us from making mistakes or even sinning. It might be great if he did, but it doesn’t happen that way.

Some people emphasize the important of knowing the Lord’s will before making any choices. In the scriptures they used different methods to determine the Lord’s will when it wasn’t clear. One reference speaks of “casting lots.” It amounted to a means of chance with an effort like rolling the dice and the answer was interpreted from the results.

This wasn’t as dramatic as having an angel bring you the Lord’s message, but in the absence of a clear understanding most of us will find our own means of seeking God’s will. It doesn’t mean it is always correct, just that we got an answer.

In my life so often the Lord’s will has been evident in a giving situation because there ends up being only one credible option. I wish I could say that translates into me always being at peace with that choice. Sometimes I have no clue at the time why a given choice is my only option, but I try to accept it on faith.

Reaching a given point of life and only having a single path to follow may not always be as joyful as we would like. For sometimes the only option is not the one our heart desires.

So we may choose to rationalize our reasons for refusing to accept a given option. It doesn’t mean we can escape the consequences, merely that we can resist if we so desire.

There are some that claim to be so spiritual that they feel they have some kind of direct hot line to God. I do believe God does speak to us in many ways, but I also respect the fact that we can be wrong.

That is the hard part for some. Pride doesn’t allow them to be honest that they were wrong in understanding the Lord’s will. They reach some point in their life and the option apparent is not the one they want so they just shrug their shoulders and turn a different direction.

There are many elements to the life of faith. To truly be spiritual means understanding and accepting that to have a relationship with the Lord is something that requires it be in the spirit and truth.

It is the truth part that causes the most stumbling as far as I’m concern. God never expects us to be perfect. He does force us to the point of choosing fantasy or honesty. Being able to accept the simple reality that no matter how intimacy of understanding or relationship with the Lord, we will be wrong at times. That is the joy of grace. Hopefully we accept it instead of clinging to our pride.