I have a lot of weeds in my yard. Compared to my neighbors my front yard looks really bad! To be honest I haven't had time to take care of it. I know that's no excuse, but it's my excuse. Each evening as I get home my thoughts as I walk up the sidewalk are about the lawn...I need to do something about that, but that's as far as I get. I know my neighbors who have well groomed lawns are thinking the worst of me, but I just haven't had the time....I know, it's just my excuse. Someday.....
My life is like that. I have a lot of weeds in my life as well. I know it looks bad. I know I need to get some "weed killer" on my thoughts and deeds, but I just haven't had time.... Someday.....
Then this morning I'm reading Paul's letter to Timothy and I'm once more convicted about both my lawn and my life. Paul writes, "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." In other words, get the weeds out!
The problem with this is that it takes two things, 1. intentionality and 2. work. I have to make the weeds part of my agenda. I have to work on it. They won't go away because I don't like them, in fact they seem to multiply by the day! Both in my lawn and in my life I have some work to do. Both need some weed killer and both need fertilizer. For my life the weed killer is repentance and self-control and the fertilizer is the word of God. Weeds are always the natural course of a lawn and a life. If you want a different result then you will have to do something about it. It's amazing how quickly neglect is evident to everyone around. Weeds are a reminder that we have some work to do.
6 comments:
Mike,
I am not sure how to phrase this, so I will be honestly blunt. I have problems in my life, major ones that consume my every thought. I cant even sleep because my mind wont shut down. I am ready to go on meds at this point. The weight of the world is crushing me, I am being defeated. Responsibilities, health issues, family ties disintegrating, money problems, etc...They manifest into fear, anxiety, depression, anger, a feeling of giving up, and on and on.
I have tried to pray, tried to surrender to God, be loving, read the bible, seek guidence through prayer and humility, serving others in love. Doing everything the bible tells me to do is worthless it seems. No matter what i do, the weight gets heavier and new problems compound it. There seems to be no assistance from "the lord". He is no where to be found put simply. how about whispering a word besides what has been said 2000 years ago. I read the news and see the horros of life, those who are sold into bondage, and crushed even worse than i am. No end to pain and suffering in sight for billions.
My question to you as a pastor, where the hell is God through all this? This is the best he can do? The all powerful, all knowing God of everything, who saw all this coming supposedly, isnt doing much to help us out here. This is the best plan he could come up with? Are you kidding me? I have always had a strong faith in him, but I am ready to give up on this so called loving God.
Please help me understand why i should acknowledge him at all, why i should believe in a loving God that allows so much pain and suffering to occur. how about a little help, a word of encouragement, can he not speak, can he not lend a hand to me and others who have it abundently worse even?
Thanks for listening, really looking forwad to hearing from one of his teachers/pastors about how his absentee behaviorr is acceptable, helpful, or even relavent.
Anonymous,
I am very sad to hear about your own problems and your struggling faith. In light of real problems, fears, depression and all that you are going through I do understand your thoughts.
Let me say from the beginning that I will not make light of your comments or try to give you an easy or pat answer to your comments.
The issues you raise have troubled the human race for centuries and have been written about by many. The very things you describe are a common argument among many atheists- if God is good and all powerful then how come there is so much evil in the world? It's an honest and real question. One pastor recently wrote a great book on the topic. The book is called, "If God is good..." by Randy Alcorn. I highly recommend it.
Now, how do I respond? I don't want to simply give you easy answers, there aren't any. Your pain is real, your problems are real, your fears are real. Although you are asking God for help it appears to you he is nowhere to be found. Where is God when you need him the most? You ask great questions- "where the hell is God through all this? This is the best he can do?"
I'm glad you felt free to tell me how you really feel. It's a place I have been as well. I know others who ask the same questions you ask. Where is this God of the Bible when we need him most?
May I be really honest? May I tell you what I think? I know just a few things that are true- I know that God is good. He claims that over and over again in the bible. And, I know he's all powerful. If he wasn't then he's not God. I know sin, sickness and problems are real. They are all around us. What is God up to? Is he really there? How does any of this bring him glory or help us? I honestly can't always put all the pieces together. I don't know why you are going through all you are suffering without any answers, but I know God loves you and cares about you even when you don't feel or see it as true. Now, that leaves me wide open. I have just admitted that I don't have all the answers....and I don't. I can't tell you what God is doing, but because I know who he is and what he is like I trust him. That doesn't mean any of the answers are easy. Let me encourage you to not give up. He will make his plans for you clear. He will meet your needs. Find some good friends to walk with you through this. Others can and will help you. God has not abandoned you, but since I don't know you personally I can't give you pat answers or easy answers for your struggles....but I know God loves you, I know he's good and I know he has a plan for you. I'll be praying for you. These may not be the answers you want, but I told you I wouldn't give you easy or pat answers to your real and honest questions. I will be praying for you.
Thanks for the honesty, and your kind words, and for just listening. You are right, there are no easy answers, life is just plain hard. And the usual words of encouragement and Bible verses can only go so far when you're in the foxhole. For me, God needs to act, or appear, or give me something more than an old book. He seems pretty engaged in the history of the bible, but how about a little something for the modern man? Why the silence? Just makes me question the entire story and history.
As of now, I am struggeling to find the biblical gods relevance. The story of a loving father caring for his children is powerful, and thats what has attracted me to Christianity. But if he isnt going to show up, and actually do something besides the past and done, then i need to rethink my committment to a personal God. He is starting to become just an idea, one that doesnt work.
an illustration... My parents are divorced, when i was young my dad always promised to come pick me up for a ballgame or to spend time together, etc...well, he never showed up. So, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I had to realize words only go so far, sooner or later there needs to be real action with that person. If God wants me to view him as a loving father, then he needs to show up for a ballgame sometime.
2010 is my reality, not 2000BC
Thanks again for listening
Anonymous,
Wow. Then this is the year, isn't it? I will pray that God will make himself real to you and give you assurance for your faith.
I trust him to make himself real to you. I am sorry for your situation and will be praying for you. I can't wait to see what God does in your life. Do come back and let me know what has happened, won't you?
Thanks again for being supportive. I think you have showed me that being a postor is less about having answers, and more about being someone who simply cares enough to listen. I have no clue, but maybe thats Gods plan, to be in the shadows and let us humans love and support one another without his involvement? Maybe its up to us more than it is him? Not sure what that does to my concept of God, i will think about that, but all i know is that humans have given me more support and love than he has.
I really dont know, but thank you.
I wish us all peace and well being, however it may come.
Anonymous,
You know, what I have found is that God works through his people, but he also makes himself know so we will KNOW that he is there and is not silent. I think you will find both- people who care AND a wonderful loving God who cares. It will never be just one or the other. That's why I look forward to the story of how God reveals himself to you. I'm glad that I can help a little, even though we don't know each other, I want you to know what I know about God and so I have great empathy and sympathy for you as you go through this valley of doubt. The results will be wonderful, but the valleys are always difficult. If you want to contact me personally you can send me an e-mail at messerli.mike @ gmail dot com. I will be glad to be a friend and listening ear and help in any way I can. I have already been praying for you. God always answers my prayers, so I can't wait to see what he does in your life. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your story as God works in your life.
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