So, this blog has been a long time coming, years in the making really. And it is rather strange that the thing that prompted this particular blog was much more benign than other episodes. You see a friend shared a Facebook status of Joel Osteen's saying roughly 'God is making all of the crooked roads straight for you, that what God promised God will do'. I completely agree with the second part of of the statement; God will in fact fulfill the promises that God makes to you, but the idea that God is making all your future roads straight is down right laughable.
I mean seriously, where do you come up with that idea?
From your life?
Cause I know its not from mine.
From scripture?
Please tell me where.
Not from Jesus who says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust.
Not from any of the people in the Old Testament.
Do you think that David had a straight road? It took him 16 years to get his promised kingdom, and that was after having to kill a giant and run from the current king who once loved him and then tried to kill him.
What about Abraham? It took him 25 years to get the child that God promised and most of God's promises were never fulfilled in Abraham's lifetime, plus there was the whole niece-in law turned into salt, and those times where he claimed that his wife was his sister so he wouldn't be killed, but whatever.
What about Moses? Yeah, God saved him as a baby, but that didn't stop him from having to spend a long time tending sheep before a bush started burning, or having to deal with a monarch with a hard heart, or a grumbling people, or another 40 years in the desert, or never entering the promised land.
What about Joseph? He had spectacular dreams given by God and then he was sold into slavery by his brothers, accused of rape by his master's wife, thrown in jail for years, only then did things start to turn around.
Going back to Jesus. His path sure did seem straight didn't it? I mean sure he was beaten and mocked and crucified, but he was the Son of God, of course his life would be difficult.
And Paul, don't get me started on the easy life that guy had after he was struck blind and devoted his life to following God.
You want the truth? I'll tell you the truth. You path is going to be full of curves and difficult and many times you'll think its not worth it. You'll be beaten down by people and circumstances. People will laugh with you one second and laugh at you the next. But you know what? Through it all God has promised to be with you, and that promise is good, that promise is true.
I am often confronted with people who think that everything is going to work out to flowers and money and fame because they follow God, not the case, God doesn't make us 'handsome rich and wise' no matter what we pray. God gives us what we need when we need it, nothing more.
One of my theological/musical heroes Derek Webb says it this way in his song Wedding Dress
If you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I'd ever need
or is there more I'm looking for
and should I read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich, and wise
Is that really what you want
I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
and I run down the aisle
and I run down the aisle
I'm a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
and I run down the aisle to you
So could you love this bastard child
Though I don't trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side
I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood
Because money cannot buy
a husband's jealous eye
When you have knowingly deceived his wife
God gave us Jesus, and life, and breath, and a world to live in. Yet we are continually asking for more and more and more.
And this Jesus, this Jesus that we claim to follow said that birds had nests and foxes had homes but that he had no place to rest his head.
And he said blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the meek, blessed are those that mourn. And he said to store your treasures in heaven, not here.
And he said that it was easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. Now the 'eye of a needle' was a doorway that was quite a bit smaller than the camel, it forced the camel to get on its knees and crawl in, not an easy thing for a camel to do. So its not impossible for a rich man to get into heaven, just more difficult, but there are those who think God wants to make them wealthy?
Why on earth do you think that God wants to make it harder for you to get into heaven? He sent Jesus just so you could get in!!!
Though it may be hard to believe this time, I do wish you,
Peace and Love,
Pastor K
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