I read something interesting this morning that I really hadn't thought about. Or actually, I really didn't know cause I don't deal in insurance. There was this guy who was driving around a crowded parking lot (probably around Christmas!) and found a very tight area to squeeze his vehicle into. As he opened his door, a gust of wind grabbed the door (this ever happen to you?) and slammed it into the car next to him. He left his insurance information on the parked vehicle and went on to do his shopping. After all, it was his fault that he didn't have a good hold on the door, right? Well, he called his insurance company the next day to tell them what happened - and he was told that he didn't had to pay anything; it was called an 'act of God'. What? The insurance man explained - things like this happen sometimes, and it is considered an act of God. A wind gust hit the door as he opened it, and unexpectedly pulled it out of his hand. True, he couldn't PROVE that the wind gust had grabbed it, but it had been windy that day. He wanted to make it right by reporting the incident, but since it was considered 'not his fault' - guess who got blamed? God.
Think about it. How many times do we blame God for things that aren't even HIS fault? We blame Him for our childhood. We blame Him for our parents. We blame God for messing up our lives. We put all the blame on Him when our jobs don't materialize or we run out of money or our children are 'all over the place'. So many of us do not take responsibility for our part in what happens; it's much easier to ignore it happened, or blame God because He didn't do what we thought He should do.
We may question God, and that's normal. In my teen years there was many times I cried out to God why He took my daddy away from us - and allowed the environment we were allowed to live in. I still don't understand it - and I may never understand it. But it is part of my life that shapes me on who I am today. I could blame God for my childhood; I could blame God for my failed marriage; I could blame God my children turned out the way they did. After all, I tried, didn't I? I took my children to church. I made sure they had head knowledge about God.
But I have to take the responsibility that I didn't help them have heart knowledge of how wonderful God is, even when things are not what they should be. Sometimes our childhood causes us to turn away from God, not believe in Him. Sometimes we turn away because the world entices us and it's 'more fun' to do whatever we want, rather than choosing to follow God and be blessed more than we could ever imagine. Immeasureably more.
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
My youngest son shared a comment he gave to a pastor he spoke to recently. He said "my parents made me go to church". Personally, I still don't think that was a bad thing. It is probably the best thing in his life. Only it is easier to blame mom and dad for the way he has made choices that have messed up his life. It's easier to blame the spouse because the credit card bill is high and there is no money to pay. It's easier to blame the kids when arguments happen. It's always easier to blame others - than take responsibility themselves that perhaps they made wrong choices. They didn't take the spouse to a financial counselor to work out the bills. They didn't discipline the kids but chose to let them do whatever they wanted - because they were 'forced' to go to church; so let's not bring God into the family life.
I have done a lot of things wrong, I admit. I take responsibility for my failures. I can't change the way things have turned out in my life; I have made those choices. I can't change my spouse. I can't change the way my children have turned out; we all are a product of our choices. And we all learn from them - sometimes. Sometimes it is easier to ignore the steps to take to make it better, and find it's easier to blame God. You know what? I'm going to reveal something to you. In some instances... like our lives, for example, it is NOT God's fault we are the way we are. We can try to blame Him all we want - but our lives are a result of the choices we have made - good and bad.
I am glad I found Jesus 'for real' about 38 years ago. I wish I had known Him when I was a child. Yes, I went to church every time the doors were open - back then it was Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, Wednesday evenings - and when there was a revival - every.single.night. But I had to make the choice to get to know Jesus personally... and I did that in my 30's. I wasted a lot of time in not knowing Him personally. I'm glad I sought after Jesus. I know what my life would be like if I didn't have Jesus. It would not be pretty. It would be disastrous. But God drew me to Him, and I've never looked back. He has proven to me time and again, He is all I need.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purposes."
God is always on our side. When we are willing to give up those things that turn us away from Him, and turn to Him, we may not find a 'better' life with things going our way, but we will find the peace that comes from following Jesus.
John 16:33 (NKJV) "These things I have spoken to you, that in me you will have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
I can apologize that my mind has wandered some this morning (like it is an unusual thing), but I won't. My prayer is that you will realize that Jesus loves you more than you can ever imagine. His desire is to bless you, help you, lavish His love upon you. All you have to do..... is ask.
Blessings!
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