Christianity

________________________

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Shaky Relationship with God

We have different reactions to trials. Some become stronger and hold on to their covenant in God, while others crumble in the face of tribulations and denounce their faith in the Lord. Because we are but humans after all, more often than not, we tend to loosen our grip and sway in our discipleship.

http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/0/7/7/4/157062-147707/manuel_antonio.jpg

When we encounter troubles in our lives, we become adamant and unyielding in following the Lord, but when we are experiencing the joys of life, we become so immersed in our good fortune that our faith takes the back seat. Even during the time of the Lord, this cycle of dwindling faith had been happening. It was said once that their faith was like shifting sand that changes depending on the direction of the wind. This can be read in the stories in the Bible that illustrate the people’s on and off relationship with the Lord. The story can be summed up like this: God blesses them and they become too complacent and too proud that they forget about God and start to sin. Then, God realizes this and gives them trials as some form of punishment. When the people find it hard to breathe, they call upon God for help, plead for forgiveness. G od forgives them, and the whole process goes round and round like the rain cycle.

On the other hand, wouldn’t it be nice if we could be constant with our faith, remain single-minded about being God’s disciple, and entrust our life in the hands of the Lord? However, that is not exactly the easiest thing to do for Christians living in a world filled with temptations. It really requires a strongly grounded faith to be able to fulfill God’s covenant for faith is what propels you to follow God’s path without questions or doubts.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

A Lesson from a Christian Magazine

I have read from one of Coelho’s book cited in a Christian magazine that the funniest thing about human beings is that we contradict ourselves for the most part of our lives. We are in so much hurry to grow up but when we are old, we reminisce the old times and wish we were young again. We work like horses to earn money and put food on the table, making ourselves ill. Then when we are already sick because of working, we spend all those money we earned to make ourselves better again. We always prepare ourselves for the future and in the process, we tend to neglect the present and not experience the joys of our existence. We simply exist and don’t live and we die as if we never lived.

http://www.mwordsandthechristianwoman.com/db5/00438/mwordsandthechristianwoman.com/_uimages/Image23.jpg

This is all because of our insecurities and our insecurities lie in the fact that we have not fully surrendered ourselves to Him. It sounds easy and all to let God take the wheel, but living in a troublesome world makes it really difficult for us to do. Many people are doubtful about the miracles that God can bring to their lives and this is not at all a surprise. Many are called, but few are chosen after all.

Those who choose to put their lives in God’s care are the ones who experience the genuine joys of living. They go on with their lives knowing that no matter what happens, God would always be there to catch them when they fall. Even when life throws the most ruthless trials, they would not be fazed because they feel secured in the fact that God would never abandon them. And as one Christian magazine would say, If you put your life in the hands of God, he would give you peace in your heart.

If we experience the contradictoriness of life, let us find strength in the promise of God.

If God sees the sparrow’s fall,
Paints the lilies short and tall,
Gives the skies their azure hue,
Will He not then care for you?