Playing God
My faith is strong, but I suck at being religious. All those rules...I usually end up breaking at least a few before the morning coffee is brewed. It's not like I want to be a moral heathen, crap just happens. Trust me, I want to be good and do the right things. But life is complicated and being human can be rough.
Years ago, frustrated with wading through our gray, chaotic world, I asked my uncle and my cousin, the most devout people I knew, "Where should I stand on this and that?"
My uncle said, "I know you own a Bible. Read it. Pray on it. That's where you'll find your answers. Never let man, any man tell you what your faith is."
My cousin said, "Never lose sight of the power of grace and love by focusing on the rules."
Hmm.
I had some work to do. I started at the beginning. Page one. Genesis.
By the time I was even part way through, I decided there was a recurring theme in the Bible. We screw up. God forgives.
Over and over. From the apple to the crucifixion, humans do dumb things. Now, there is only one thing I'm certain of-- only God can be God, and I'm good with that.
Amen! He sure does forgive us.
ReplyDeleteThat was wise advice given to you.
I've been blessed with good people!
Deletewise thoughts
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mac!
DeleteSounds like you went to the right people for advice!
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky like that :)
DeleteSmart lady! If more people realized they aren't the One in charge, the world would be a better place. Let go... and let God.
ReplyDeleteLetting go of worry over things that are completely out of my control was the saving grace to my stomach lining, for sure!
DeleteScrew up we all do. As for rules, pffft we don't follow so he'll have to forgive haha
ReplyDeleteYou're right. And as soon as we decide we're perfect and flawless, we're probably being arrogant buttholes that no one wants to be around. LOL
DeleteNice. I wasn't a "good Jewish girl" this year in that I - sshh - skipped High Holiday services. But living a good life is what matters - not abiding by countless rules. Gotta enjoy those mai tais too.
ReplyDeleteOne day, lady! One day we will meet for those drinks and enjoy our imperfections together.
DeleteI feel ya:) Always have had my faith in God, even if not always in some of the human institutions that use his name on earth. But it's all good, all part of the journey:)
ReplyDeleteI don't have any degrees in theology, but I'm thinking those are the ones guilty of using the name in vain.
DeleteTry your best, don't go out of your way to "get" anybody and repent when you've really screwed up. God will forgive.
ReplyDeletePerfectly put!
DeleteAll we can do is our best and try to do the right thing. My heart won't let me do otherwise.
ReplyDeleteAnd your best is always impressive!
DeleteWe should all aim to do our best we can. Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteI think that is the key.
DeleteVery true. Good post, Liz.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa!
DeleteSuch a lovely post, Liz. I can relate to how tough it can be at times to recognize that we're all human and we all screw up from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI'm really pretty good at screwing up. If it were a skill, I'd say I've mastered it.
DeleteTrue words! Me too. Nice to know God knows we're human!
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteSo true. A great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete