My wife was speaking to our three year old grandson,Will, about our forthcoming trip to see him at Christmas. She asked him if there would be any snow in Shreveport, (Louisiana) suggesting the chances of that are slim, to which he immediately replied, "I know, but God's in charge". His response made us laugh, but it also made us think about Jesus' words, "For of such is the kingdom of heaven".
A little boy's quick faith-teaching to his grandparents becomes fodder for all of us to consider two critical questions: Who is God?, and, How does He work with people? The depth of those two simple questions can keep thinking people occupied for life, but the answers are not always as forthcoming as they are for Will.
Some glibly speak of how God immediately cured their loved one's illness because someone in the family prayed. Unfortunately, other believers pray for healing but get different results, sometimes death.
The image of a doting God can change quickly when life goes awry. While no one of any substance glibly suggests their prayers are more effactious than those whose loved one's die, there are no good explanations for such things - or even for why it snows some years in Shreveport and not others.
This is a good season to focus on those two simple questions about God's nature and involvement with us. With age and experience we learn that life, like God, is not predictable, sometimes wondering secretly who He really is, or why He's not picking out our socks for us, like some insinuate He does for them.
Regardless of whether you think Will's answer is perceptive or naive, it all eventually comes full circle to faith. His Momma and Daddy tell him God can do anything, so for now, he believes it. So, if it doesn't snow in Shreveport next Wednesday, he may forget it all about it, or He may just figure God decided to send the snow to some other expectant little boy's house in Minneapolis. I hope he doesn't ask me why. I have no answer.
Merry Christmas anyway.
JG
What Matters About Me
- Jack C. Getz
- I am who I am, not what I have done. For those who care about pedigree, I have little more than being a former public school teacher and a pastor/denominational adminstrator. The following insights come from a couple of tests I took. They may explain why I am a Contrarian and why I decided to do a blog about it. The first test is a standardized personality profile. The second is something strange called a Brain Type test! 1)“Jack lives outside traditional boundaries and ahead of the curve. When others focus on limitations, Jack creates new possibilities and ideas. He is a doer, not just a dreamer. Well grounded in reality, logic and analytical thinking. He enjoys meeting and working with other creative and ambitious people...a fearless leader. Only 3-5% of U.S. population has these qualities.” 2) Jack's Intellectual Type is Word Warrior. This means he has exceptional verbal skills. He can can easily make sense of complex issues and takes an unusually creative approach to solving problems. His strengths also make him a visionary. Even without trying he's able to come up with lots of new and creative ideas. (Like blogging as Contrarian?)
This challenges common ideas about the purpose of praying. Not a rehash of old dogma.
Click Image to purchase - Search Jack Corbin Getz Or Check major online book sellers.
No comments:
Post a Comment