Pharyngitis. I have to admit, it is an original predicament.
All my life, I have been blessed with what the Irish would call the "gift of the gab"- I've always had a way with words. Now I can't form one without sounding like I ate a French frog.
This must be what a meal in hell tastes like - spicy noodle soup and hot coffee. No sweets, no crunchy, cold or junk food. THAT and "voice rest." No talking. At all. For a Royal Priest working at a call center, that borders the unimaginable.
But I always appreciate God's unique solutions. It might be time to move on, find a new line of work. Who knows? A new lesson in humility? Appreciate the sound of silence? Early retirement? The possibilities are endless.
Or perhaps our Lord Jesus sends a simple reminder:
"Trust in God, and trust also in Me"
The Dream
I've had a dream for the past few years. It's been a general idea of what I want to be in life. Slowly it's been getting more detailed - house, job, clothes, gadgets...
The concept is harmless enough. I run a non-profit organization that looks for areas that have experienced some form of hardship (economic poverty or natural/man-made disaster), providing support and resources to help people recover. In addition, I use this opportunity to share the Word of God and offer the Gift of Salvation.
The problem is that as the dream progresses, the organization gains the attention of the media and becomes moderately popular. Celebrity corruption spins out of control, and a life focused on God slowly focuses on myself.
I realize that these are the same temptations Satan offered Jesus in the wilderness, albeit modernized and updated. Worldly control, unlimited resources and power, at the helm of divine intervention. With tears and painful regret I abandon this magnificent dream, whispering "Get thee behind me, Satan"...
Salvation - and the manner in which you receive it - is up to God.
Not me. Not any human.
The concept is harmless enough. I run a non-profit organization that looks for areas that have experienced some form of hardship (economic poverty or natural/man-made disaster), providing support and resources to help people recover. In addition, I use this opportunity to share the Word of God and offer the Gift of Salvation.
The problem is that as the dream progresses, the organization gains the attention of the media and becomes moderately popular. Celebrity corruption spins out of control, and a life focused on God slowly focuses on myself.
I realize that these are the same temptations Satan offered Jesus in the wilderness, albeit modernized and updated. Worldly control, unlimited resources and power, at the helm of divine intervention. With tears and painful regret I abandon this magnificent dream, whispering "Get thee behind me, Satan"...
Salvation - and the manner in which you receive it - is up to God.
Not me. Not any human.
Peter and His Principle
It's happening again. Just like last time. Inadequacies revealed, cleverness despised, sacrifices are ignored, a hammer slowly falls... and judgment is passed.
I now realize a great truth: I have the ability to survive, but not to succeed. Translation? I'm good, but not THAT good.
A book called "The Peter Principle" was published a few years back. In it, the author Tom Peters explains how every person can achieve a level of success, but a person cannot exceed his or her limit. Either you excel at being a middle manager or become a CEO and fail at your job.
Everyone has limits. God made sure you were born at a certain place at a certain time with a specific set of capabilities and a specific Purpose. Go beyond that purpose, and you will know what touching the Ark of the Covenant or entering the Holy of Holies without permission feels like. (FYI: Those who touched the Ark or entered the Holy of Holies died instantly)
The Bible tells us that "In his heart a man chooses his steps, but the Lord determines his way."
If life is a stage, sometimes we have to accept being the leading actor, supporting actor or even a background character.
I now realize a great truth: I have the ability to survive, but not to succeed. Translation? I'm good, but not THAT good.
A book called "The Peter Principle" was published a few years back. In it, the author Tom Peters explains how every person can achieve a level of success, but a person cannot exceed his or her limit. Either you excel at being a middle manager or become a CEO and fail at your job.
Everyone has limits. God made sure you were born at a certain place at a certain time with a specific set of capabilities and a specific Purpose. Go beyond that purpose, and you will know what touching the Ark of the Covenant or entering the Holy of Holies without permission feels like. (FYI: Those who touched the Ark or entered the Holy of Holies died instantly)
The Bible tells us that "In his heart a man chooses his steps, but the Lord determines his way."
If life is a stage, sometimes we have to accept being the leading actor, supporting actor or even a background character.
Sin's Silver Lining
I have sinned, and sinned again. I don't like it. I fight against it. But I see the silver lining after begging for forgiveness. Living in fear of God's holy wrath, while feeling terror, tension and guilt in the face of God's mercy... it is definitely USEFUL for maintaining a Christian life. It means we are still in the game, tempted and targeted by our Enemy. It means we are still a threat.
The minute life is OK, and everything works out without conflict... you are useless to both sides. Remember that we are in a hostile planet, temporarily under the Enemy's rule. The Second Coming of Jesus is still a long way away. Until then it's War.
God would prefer we live out of love, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but it is too easy to be complacent. Fear jolts us back in line, back on the right Way, far from the detour to Hell.
Like riding a bike we waver, we bump and fall. But we eventually learn to get up and keep moving forward, reaching our destination.
The minute life is OK, and everything works out without conflict... you are useless to both sides. Remember that we are in a hostile planet, temporarily under the Enemy's rule. The Second Coming of Jesus is still a long way away. Until then it's War.
God would prefer we live out of love, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but it is too easy to be complacent. Fear jolts us back in line, back on the right Way, far from the detour to Hell.
Like riding a bike we waver, we bump and fall. But we eventually learn to get up and keep moving forward, reaching our destination.
Answer The Call
Patience, perseverance, forgiveness... many Christian traits can be learned while I've been working at a call center. Or not. God gives us the opportunity to shine, or burn out during times of crisis and adversity. Remember Job?
But I guess it applies to any kind of work.
Work reveals a great truth: The balance between the demands of the world and the demands of God do not exist. There is no balance. Either you follow employee protocol and compromise your values, become a rebel (and possibly get fired) or live in solitary. Or start your own small business, like the Apostle Paul.
Or die and be with Christ. But only God gives THAT option when it's the right time. Think "Retirement plan."
But I guess it applies to any kind of work.
Work reveals a great truth: The balance between the demands of the world and the demands of God do not exist. There is no balance. Either you follow employee protocol and compromise your values, become a rebel (and possibly get fired) or live in solitary. Or start your own small business, like the Apostle Paul.
Or die and be with Christ. But only God gives THAT option when it's the right time. Think "Retirement plan."
Morning Reflection
This is my favourite part of the day. The last parts of darkness stirs, awaiting the dawn of a new day. Right now I can only see my reflection on the window, with flecks of light scattered across the city.
Looking out the window, my reflection slowly fades away when the sunlight reveals as many examples of God's creation that can fit in that small frame of glass. Buildings, cars, trees, clouds... and of course, that great source of Earth's light- the Sun.
You know, even the sun is just a small part of the universe. (Google "Betelgeuse" and start from there) And so, I forget about my reflection in the window and look out the window, not forgetting to look UP and saying "Thanks."
Looking out the window, my reflection slowly fades away when the sunlight reveals as many examples of God's creation that can fit in that small frame of glass. Buildings, cars, trees, clouds... and of course, that great source of Earth's light- the Sun.
You know, even the sun is just a small part of the universe. (Google "Betelgeuse" and start from there) And so, I forget about my reflection in the window and look out the window, not forgetting to look UP and saying "Thanks."
The Face of God
I was reading an old comic book that got me thinking about the hero-image issue. I mean, even the Pope had a comic book. Jesus only has one face. The Joker hides. The Batman hides. No one thought of painting a picture? Have you seen one of those ancient sculptures of gods and emperors? The details are astounding. But then again, Jesus wasn't really Italian. Or black. He was Jewish when he took human form. And He probably preferred the anonymity. To look at Jesus was to look at God, so people were not looking AT Him, but THROUGH Him. Makes the "I Am the Way, Truth and Life" thing more understandable.
Need to Know
The problem with needing God sometimes is in feeling guilty about it. I don't want to need God. I want to be in love, in a relationship with my Creator. Who has ever been more flattered by the words "I need you" than "I love you"?
But you know what? God doesn't appreciate flattery. Or false prophets. Or Pharisees. God appreciates honesty. Even if we are like children who just want to ask for stuff. Of course, like any Father, He would prefer we approach Him to be with Him, and not just because He has stuff. But if you're cool with your status as an adopted child, and if you can accept your bro Jesus, then it's a start.
But you know what? God doesn't appreciate flattery. Or false prophets. Or Pharisees. God appreciates honesty. Even if we are like children who just want to ask for stuff. Of course, like any Father, He would prefer we approach Him to be with Him, and not just because He has stuff. But if you're cool with your status as an adopted child, and if you can accept your bro Jesus, then it's a start.
Love. Life.
Being in a worldly relationship gives me a small glimpse of the requirements of God's relationship with mankind. Acceptance of our differences while maintaining our individual standards, giving and taking, and of course feeling like you're in Heaven while bearing a cross...
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