When I think and write about life and questions that arise because we do not understand or know information about our lives, I focus on Christian philosophy. I know more about Christianity than all the other religions, which is to say I do NOT know very much. People have studied the Bible and related material all their lives (50 years, 80 years, 125 years) and concluded, at their end, they barely knew God or how he works.
AND they Definitely did NOT understand Christians!
In the Bible book Genesis and Exodus, God focused on individuals to mold and save nations, primarily Israel. He focused on Pharaoh and Moses, in one account, to prepare his people Israel and to announce himself to the Egyptians.
Pharaoh and Moses had HUGE egos and massive tempers. One eventually destroyed a nation, while the other set free a nation; because ONE rejected and defied God and ONE accepted and obeyed God.
Moses could have returned to Egypt, announced God's plans, packed everyone and left. He COULD have, but God told him, this is going to take some time because I want to save more than My People.
Pharaoh COULD have told Moses and all Israel to Get Out NOW and the entire event would have been over in about a month. BUT he did NOT! God had hand picked this man to be the Key to the year long display of God's power and control over Earth.
Here is my point: Parts of your and my life may be flowing smooth as greased glass while other parts are moving as if mired in Winter mud. Consider the following:
- Part of your life ONLY involves you
- Part of your life involves another person or people
God told Moses, I will send you to Pharaoh to deliver my people Israel BUT he will not let you/them go. THEN I will display my power/control of their gods and this Earth. Moses and Pharaoh both had a huge tempers and egos, while the entire Nations of Egyptians and Israelis were basically watching God perform and these two men react.
Christians often/regularly ask God to use them/us but our understanding of the consequences of our requests is so limited that we (like Moses and Pharaoh) end up re-asking God, WHY is this taking so long or happening like this? WHAT is going on?
Hurricane Harvey comes to the USA for a visit. Half a million people suffer mild to complete devastation, and others are not touched. Some are victims in need and others are Caregivers with resources to aid victims. News reporters observe how the best and worst surfaces when people undergo severe stresses and we focus on the Best because we REALLY want to Be Good and Do Good and Help our Neighbor.
In that process is God, working to improve us and help us improve. Sometimes, the Victims become the Caregivers as "tools" to improve/purge/cleanse/educate/refine those taking care of them. One home is repaired in days or weeks, while another takes months, and the delays begin to look as if SOMEONE is directing the slow downs.
While reading a novel or watching a movie, we are often given clues to the Plot which allows us to "engage" ourselves in the rationale of the characters and author(s). This Freedom of Information also, to some degree, causes us to "feel" in control and agree/disagree with the plot and outcome. LIFE does not always grant us such freedom. In fact, Very OFTEN we are blind to the What and Why of our scenarios as they play out.
I have a carnal/flesh/resistant spirit/attitude/nature which make me fight what is happening in my life without my permission. Prayer/confession/humility and asking forgiveness gradually realigns me with God and we move forward (his pace, his direction) and I learn.
Remember Pharaoh? He proclaimed, "I do not know your God and do NOT have to obey him." That statement is not entirely correct. He was governing GOD's people and they were praying/studying/conversing people about their God. Pharaoh HAD TO KNOW SOMETHING about Moses's God. Remember WHERE Moses originally came from?
SO, if you are in the Tool part of your Play and you think the other performers are ignorant of Your God, I suggest that may NOT be the case. God CHOSE Pharaoh and put him on the throne to Use Him; and I am persuaded to CHANGE him. Ask God which part are you playing in this scheme (and how well are you performing).
NOTE: Personally, I am not doing well (in my opinion).
When these times are over, I believe we will observe a deliverance on the scale of the Exodus (in a Spiritual/Emotional/Health sense) in our families, neighbors, towns and nation. Also, consider that a mixed multitude left Egypt with Israel to serve their God; but that mixed multitude was also emotionally and spiritually mixed up.
If you have ever searched for THE perfect Church? It DOES NOT EXIST!!!
BUT the imperfect ones that work together to serve God and each other Do VERY well and have for thousands of years. We are almost there (End of Time) sort of concept, so let's give these remaining years our absolute best. We HAVE MUCH TO GAIN!
Closing out 2017 with anticipation of 2018 wonders and blessings and growth.
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