Lord, Can We Talk?
Lord, do You have a minute You can spare for me? I know I should be on my knees, saying something like "Dear Heavenly Father" but sometimes I just need to talk with You. Or maybe You can listen while I ramble here 'cause I need to have someone listen and You always said You'd be there for me.
Things are getting pretty hairy down here on Earth. Not too long ago some guy walked into a church and sat down to pray and learn Your word then got up and just started shooting everyone. Just cold blooded killing those he had been sitting with a minute before. Then yesterday this guy walks into a school and makes people stand up if they are a Christian then he shoots them in the head. Those who didn't say they were Christian he shot in the leg or somewhere else. I guess I'm asking what's going on? I know that everything happens for a reason and that You already know what's going to happen but this seems really crazy. Killing Christians for being Christian? That sounds like something I read years ago in my history class about Christians being put into the arena in Rome and killed for sport. And while today's killings aren't for the pleasure of the Mob like back then, it still feels like some are out to kill Christians just because we are Christian.
Like this ISIS bunch I keep hearing about. They hate America and Christians for being who we are. And while I don't like them for what they're doing, I don't hate them for who they are. Rather, I feel bad for them not knowing You for who You are. If they knew You maybe they wouldn't be doing what they're doing to us. Over here all I hear is a bunch of politicians talking about fighting them, then our young men and women are being sent to fight them but somehow I feel they are not really allowed to fight them with the reason being to win. Fact is, no one will really win, we'll just end up killing a bunch of each other's kids and while we mourn our dead, or at least their family's will, over there they become martyrs and believe they'll end up in their version of Heaven with a lot of virgins or something. To them, this is a holy war and we are the dirty enemy. All we want is to live free and allow others to live free to. At least, that's what I believe. I begrudge no man his space, his faith, his rights so long as he doesn't begrudge me mine. Y'know, the old treat others as you want to be treated belief? Why is that so hard for everyone to understand?
If we disagree, and we believe the other is wrong we need to talk it out. If we still don't agree, move on. Give one another the space to be themselves. Shouldn't be as hard as it is Lord.
The other day I read a story about two homosexual women who had a daughter that attended a Christian School. Now I know that the Bible says homosexuality is wrong, but who am I to judge? That's between them and You. I believe there is one unforgivable sin and You know what that is. But didn't You say that everyone sins and falls short of Your glory? To me that means that other than that one unforgivable sin, a sin is a sin is a sin, right? And if I sin and they sin, then we're both sinners right? And I think I remember You saying that we need to love the sinner but hate the sin so why do we turn away someone who is a sinner? Is it because they are a homosexual? God, doesn't that seem a little, well, judgemental to You for some of us to be telling them to leave Your house of worship and teaching? Seems to me that if we opened our arms to them and spent some time getting to know them we might have something in common and just might help one another. Who knows? Maybe they might learn something that changes their minds and they just might ask Your forgiveness. That's all they need to do, right? Feel it in our hearts and ask forgiveness and You give it freely. After all, to err is human, to forgive divine. We should all aspire to a little more divinity.
And while we're on that subject, this thing going on in Kentucky where a person of the courts is not allowing homosexuals to get a marriage license. Personally I do not believe in homosexuality but if the law says it's okay and a person works for the government that approved that law, then they should follow what it says, right? We should do the best we can to make sure the laws that are passed are right according to Your laws but as they are our elected officials we should trust them to do what's right. Isn't there something that says we follow Your laws in our life and beliefs but we have to follow man's laws in other areas? Kind of like that giving Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's, right? Live and follow Your laws but we are also bound by our government's laws in our country so while it seems kind of confusing I still think that if one works for the government and they say to do this then we have to do it. We have a choice of speaking with them about their choice but ultimately it is their choice. And after all, if a sin is a sin is a sin, then who are we to put them below us? No one is pure but You. So that means we are all sinners before You. No one is better, no one is worse than anyone else here on Earth. Right?
I realize I am kind of rambling, and have taken up more than the minute I asked for. I'm sorry for that, really I am. But there are just so many things weighing on my mind. I know, I know: worrying is a sin too, but this world is tough. Every time I turn on the television there's been another murder of innocents. Or someone is judging someone else as being less worthy than they are. Or someone is lying to people about things that should make us safer like that car fiasco. What happened to us? Is it all free will? Are we that self centered as a people, as a civilization? How far have we fallen?
How much further can we afford to fall?
Okay, I'm going to try to wrap this up now. Please watch over my family as we go through life day by day. And help my children to understand that if I'm being kind of strict it's only because I am concerned about them and desire nothing more than their success as a person, their safety in this world, and their relationship with You. They may be their own person but they are who their mother and I have tried to mold them into, a person with morals, with love in their hearts, and a clear conscience due to their relationship with You. Take care of my friends who are in need, who are having a hard time with something in their lives like that one whose wife is going through cancer treatments and the other one who recently lost her husband to cancer. That family is really having a tough time adapting to his being gone. Please take a moment to soothe their pain.
Please be with all who call me friend, and all who do not. Please provide a few minutes of peace for all of us down here on Earth in whatever means You see fit. We could sure use it. It's crowded, we seem to be fighting a lot more these days, and even the Earth seems to be fighting us more and more what with the droughts, the floods, the fires and all. Of course some of that might be due to how we're treating ol' Mother Earth today; we don't exactly treat her like we need her to last, do we?
Well, that's about it Lord. Thanks for listening. I recall that old film Oh God where John Denver says that he wants to continue talking with God and George Burns who plays You says "You talk; I'll listen". I liked that. Kind of made me feel like You are always there, just a prayer away. And while this isn't your usual prayer You know I think that it's okay to talk with you anywhere, any time. You are a friend to me as well as my Savior. And friends talk like this sometimes.
Oh, if You have another few seconds to spare for me, I'd like to say I gave away my seventh copy of The Shack at work recently. And I shared my book The Fisherman's Testament again with someone. Those two books just make me feel better when I read them. I love sharing them with others who might need a little pick me up at times. They are so full of Your love and message that I think it helps others to come to know You a little better.
So, thank You for all that You do and I'm not second guessing You, I'm just a little scared I guess. Because to me, America was built on our freedom to worship You and it feels like a lot of people are trying to eliminate you from America today. Well, I'm not gonna let that happen on my watch. And I know there are a lot of people out there who feel the same way. We'll keep fighting for You and Your way no matter what. Forgive me of my sins and help keep my feet on that stoney path that leads to You. Be the Light to lead me as I go out into this world each day. Help me to have the strength of character to be an shining example of who You want me to be so I might help someone find You.
In Your name,
Amen.
