scared to call this wtf friday…
Okay, I have been wondering if this was the right thing to post or not. Toying with it for a few days and I wasn’t sure how it would make me look. But as a wise woman told me, you have to be yourself at all times, don’t hide behind popular demand. It is my blog. I love the people who choose to read and especially those entertained enough to leave a comment.
I hope you take this question to heart and reply with your insight. Here goes… I, first off let me say- am far from a bible scholar, or religious freak. I do however, love God and believe that He blesses me everyday in more ways than I am sometimes smart enough to realize. I do find comfort in knowing there is someone or something out there that has his/her hand in the middle of my back pushing me along helping me find my way (I am learning more about me and my spirituality, so I will leave it there for now).
But we are taught that God has this whole thing mapped out. We are merely walking a path that has long been pre- determined. He knows His plan for us, where and how we will end up. My father used to say “if it’s your time to go, then it’s your time to go.” Why then, do people ask for prayers to change fate? Why do we continue to ask God to heal our sick? Or to save our near deceased? Why do we ask anything of Him? Why is prayer not just a conversation between two hearts, where you explain your current situation and feelings as you would in your journal, or to a friend?
A thank you to Him for every other millionth blessing he has already provided, every soul He has already allowed another day. A prayer that says God I am here to do what you ask of me, and I pray I am not letting you down:
USE ME LORD. PLEASE CONTINUE TO ORDER MY STEPS IN THE DIRECTION THAT YOU WANT ME TO WALK. THANK YOU FOR PREPARING ME FOR THE AWESOME THINGS THAT YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR ME… AMEN (I know the author but I have yet to ask for his permission to use his name… if he says yes- I will add it) But it shows his heart. He isn’t asking God to heal all the sick, and to house the homeless. He is asking to be the man God wants him to be. He could easily use this grateful prayer for anyone he wishes God’s continued blessing for.
And during your conversation, like a good friend usually does- He (God) just lets you talk. Fewer words are sometimes the loudest. You began to answer your own questions, start to self reflect, and addressing each concern with all the internal tools God has bestowed upon you. If He is the all knowing God that we trust, why do we feel compelled to re inform Him play by play and ask Him for what is already done and will be?
This is a wonderful conversation piece. I too believe that our lives are pre-destined,and asking Him for specific requests in our prayers is something that we were taught by preachers over the years. Also, according to Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened for you.” How literal should we take that verse is the ?????
im pretty much on the other side of the aisle in this thinking.
If it’s all pre-destined, then why bother? Why do we have free will? Why choices? I don’t buy that. I will continue to believe the God has a little more imagination and security than to need to create cookie cutter people with pre-cut paths.
Regarding the relationship part, I think it’s the same with all relationships. The more time you spend and the more effort you put in, the more you get out. We just can’t keep treating God like our “Sugar Daddy.” Relationships are a two-way street. He does need us to do some things here, i.e., be kind to our neighbors, feed those who are hungry, mentor children who are in need, spread the love through volunteering. As with any relationship, when we stop being “takers” and start giving, then the real relationship begins.
I’m “de-programming” from some of “religion” as well – not throwing the baby out with the bath water. Just trying to determine the rhetoric from what God was trying to communicate. The RED text in the Bible is beautiful and definitely something to sink our teeth in. I think most of us (me included) have only scratched the surface of what kind of communication and relationship can be between God and me. Pretty exciting, though. We just need to open our minds and explore.
I read this quote last week and it has stayed with me and, browngirl, I think you might like it too:
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. ~Aristotle
Love the topic. Thanks for getting us to think!
So whats the point? Do we continue to stumble through life being guided by a omnipotent force or do we have a say in the matter? I think that we do have a say. Even though our life if mapped-out or “predetermined” I think there are multiple paths. I believe that prayer is just one way of asking for advice so that we are able to understand our choice. Thats why we have conscious thought and are able to make decisions in order to chose the “right” path.
I think religion is just a way to hold us accountable for our actions on a subconscious level. Religion gives many people a sense of propose and guidance, but its really just another system designed to control and conform people. There are rules/laws/commandment/tenants/beliefs. There are consequences/punishment if they are not followed. You have to pay taxes/tithes. There’s a leader/president/pastor/CEO/bishop. There’s a document that is used for interpreting: Bible/Constitution/Koran/Torah.
I know it looking like I’m babble but I realize, the older I get, is that religion is just another thing for us to attach ourselves to. Some put all their faith into it and that’s there thing. I do believe there is a GOD, but I do not believe in religion.