Yesterday, I was listening to a science fiction book where at that part a supremely intelligent alien a.i. calls out the human race saying something in the line of: “you are the only species in the galaxy where a bomb will land at your feet and not go off… But you will then go and pick it up and say to yourself: ‘Let’s drop it nose first on the floor and see what happens?’”
It’s an absurd notion… isn’t it?
When Paul speaks about the chosen nation of Israel, he seems to describe a South African way of doing things. Stubborn to the core, but we have to succeed by self.
God gives righteousness by Grace, but “… wanting instead to be acceptable to God because of their own works… ”
(Romans 10:3)
Paul Quotes Isaiah:
“With love I have held out my hands day after day, offering myself to this unbelieving and stubborn people!”
(Romans 10:21)
God literally says “I want to give you this gift” and I would quite literally say “No! I want to earn it!” It makes no sense?!
But that had me thinking about another topic. Accepting help…
If you break a leg, it is quite acceptable to walk with help, to walk with crutches. If you have a bad break, you might have a limp and walk with a cane for the rest of your life… still acceptable.
If you were really unlucky you will lose a leg and have a prosthetic leg to help you along. Nowhere and in no way will anybody judge you and tell you to remove your leg and “sort yourself out”
So we clearly have the capacity to understand the differences. Why is it so difficult to lay down our pain, suffering and failures before God and let Him in? Let him take control? Let His Spirit guide our path and choices?
Why do we insist on bouncing along on one leg? Having to earn our “worth” through our suffering?
I know this is stretching the context very far… But isn’t it something? When Peter walked on water, and in a moment of weakness, lost his Faith… Jesus was right there, lifting him from the sea. Jesus didn’t run over, Jesus didn’t shout “hang on, I’m coming” – Peter cried out and Jesus took him by the hand.
Some teachings say Jesus rebuked Peter for having little faith and lots of doubt. I don’t believe it. The rest of their relationship implies that Jesus way of dealing with Peter was kind and generous. I believe Jesus kindly asked Peter:
“Why did you start to doubt even after you knew it was possible? Why did you let fear rule you?”
Forget Fear, Focus on the Father.
