Hey Everyone,
Something is bothering me. Why is it that we, as Christians, always seem to believe that God wants us to have "a happy ending"? Yes, yes, I know about the passages that say Jesus came so that we might have "an abundant life". I also know about putting God first and that He will give us "the desires of our heart."
But why do we overlook the other passages that tell us not to be surprised when trials and suffering come? Why do we ignore things such as being told to be careful what we ask God for, in that we don't ask simply out of our own selfishness?
If I've learned anything in life, it's that life usually doesn't have happy endings. I don't mean that to sound negative, I just think that we as Christians seem to tell ourselves that "God wants His best for us" and to us, that surely means God's best is someone who looks like (insert favorite model or movie star here), makes as much money as (insert favorite business idol here), and will be as well-known of a Christian role model as (insert favorite Biblical character here.)
If we look at the Bible, have you ever seen what God's best was for people? I know of 3 people who were so important that angels foretold of their birth: Samson, John the Baptist, and Jesus. Yes, I know Samson chose to do his own thing instead of God's thing, but what about John and Jesus? Surely they followed God's will. Surely God loved them and wanted "the best" for them. And we all know the rest of the story.
Why do we, as Christians, feel that people like this suffered so that we will receive anything and everything we ever want?
The reason this has been on my mind so much is that I see so many people posting here that they have something very specific in what they want in a spouse, and they believe surely God will give it to them. How many people in the Bible got the happy ending they were looking for?
I am just curious to know--why is it that we think that? With missionaries being killed around the world; with places of worship being gunned down; with Christians having to meet in underground networks in other countries...
Why do we who live in comfort and (relative) peace believe we have the right to expect our lives to turn out like a Walt Disney Fairy Tale? ("Someday... God is Going to Bring Me My Prince or Princess and He or She Will Be Everything I Always Wanted!")
God's own marriage with Israel was littered with their constant spiritual adultery... Yet God always forgave and took them back. Why is it that we always think we will be the big exception?
Something is bothering me. Why is it that we, as Christians, always seem to believe that God wants us to have "a happy ending"? Yes, yes, I know about the passages that say Jesus came so that we might have "an abundant life". I also know about putting God first and that He will give us "the desires of our heart."
But why do we overlook the other passages that tell us not to be surprised when trials and suffering come? Why do we ignore things such as being told to be careful what we ask God for, in that we don't ask simply out of our own selfishness?
If I've learned anything in life, it's that life usually doesn't have happy endings. I don't mean that to sound negative, I just think that we as Christians seem to tell ourselves that "God wants His best for us" and to us, that surely means God's best is someone who looks like (insert favorite model or movie star here), makes as much money as (insert favorite business idol here), and will be as well-known of a Christian role model as (insert favorite Biblical character here.)
If we look at the Bible, have you ever seen what God's best was for people? I know of 3 people who were so important that angels foretold of their birth: Samson, John the Baptist, and Jesus. Yes, I know Samson chose to do his own thing instead of God's thing, but what about John and Jesus? Surely they followed God's will. Surely God loved them and wanted "the best" for them. And we all know the rest of the story.
Why do we, as Christians, feel that people like this suffered so that we will receive anything and everything we ever want?
The reason this has been on my mind so much is that I see so many people posting here that they have something very specific in what they want in a spouse, and they believe surely God will give it to them. How many people in the Bible got the happy ending they were looking for?
I am just curious to know--why is it that we think that? With missionaries being killed around the world; with places of worship being gunned down; with Christians having to meet in underground networks in other countries...
Why do we who live in comfort and (relative) peace believe we have the right to expect our lives to turn out like a Walt Disney Fairy Tale? ("Someday... God is Going to Bring Me My Prince or Princess and He or She Will Be Everything I Always Wanted!")
God's own marriage with Israel was littered with their constant spiritual adultery... Yet God always forgave and took them back. Why is it that we always think we will be the big exception?