ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST?

To be truly honest, I should let you know right off that I'm "for." Just what I'm not against will be clear soon. That is, again to be honest, I try to always be "for." Sometimes, well, sometimes it's questionable whether I really am "for" because I have a lot of human traits yet which only indicates that God isn't finished with me yet.

And that's what, or rather Who, I'm "for." God. And His Son, who is part of God. Or who is God, whichever way you like to say it. I'm open on that point. But the older I get, the less I am open. Now, don't get me wrong--I'm open to a lot of things, but not about God, or God's teachings. Let me say that I would call myself a gentle believer. I won't fight anyone over my opinions, because whose to say that I am right? But, for me, what I've come to trust and where I've come to grow is not so much what I believe about God, but God Himself, both as a father, and as a son, and now, as a spirit.

Having said all this, I came to an important conclusion after reading John 12 the other day. The Message, and I quote Jesus' words, "First, they wouldn't believe, then they couldn't--again, just as Isiah said: "Their eyes are blinded; their hearts are hardened, so that they wouldn't see with their eyes and perceive with their hearts. And turn to me, God, so I could heal them......" " Jesus continued, "That's all I have to say. What the father told me, I tell you."

I felt like Jesus was speaking directly to me because it occurred to me that I am one of "the people" to whom both Isiah, and Jesus, were speaking--those who have stubborn hearts.

That's you and me and our children and grandchildren and all others to follow. We may not still be totally stubborn, having believed Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised into Heaven to be with the Father, but we can't entirely say that we are not stubborn. Think a bit. Yesterdays may have shown some stubborness. Uh huh! But Jesus forgave all that. How about today? Or tomorrow? Yep. If you're anything like me, you'll probably have a bit of stubborness here and there. Some of us will have more than others and it usually shows up about the time we realize God wants one thing--and we want another. It is an innate human trait. From the time we were babies, we wanted what we wanted and we wanted it NOW!

So what will it take for us to stop stubborn refusals to listen for God's voice as instruction, watch with open eyes for His needs, His work in the world, His grace, peace, and mercy. Can we admit we may be wrong in our views about whether God exists?Could Jesus really rise from the grave? No? Can God do anything? And what about all the tragedies in the world. Why didn't God stop them if God can do anything?

I don't have any great answers, but I trust God does know what He's doing and that He does have a plan. And who am I to expect to have an answer! Even the angels, even Job didn't have an answer. God is God and God's plans will only be understood in retrospect.

So who is "for" God and the hope that God always brings? We can live in stubborn denial, or we can live in hope. Denial leads to despair. Hope leads to fulfillment, peace, and fellowship with Christ the Lord.

I welcome you to add your two cents to this commentary. And I truly hope, and pray, that there are lots of you out there who are "for" God, and if not---Peace be with you. But you should know, I pray God will bless you to pieces and that you will know it!!

Always His, jo