Hi.
I've been writing rather a lot lately, despite my infrequent posts. Faraway friends are asking for more details than I am sharing on the blog. As if there would be more to tell. Don't I tell you everything?
My hunting child is still living on the thrill of his most recent exploits.That, and his prowess on the football field have given him a very secure self image. And lots with which to impress the ladies.
My younger one has been defying death with his new found ability to do a back flip from a standing position. In the living room. He is my Xtreme Martial Arts child. Flips, and aerial kicks, and so forth, seem to come very easily to him.
I am delving into the finer points of dating. It's an honorable work I do. You know what they say, "It's a tough job, but someones got to do it!"
I've been reading about the life of Samson, which I find fascinating and perplexing. He was chosen by God, but he never seems to really be on board with what God had chosen him to do. He is impulsive and reactionary, and violent and lustful. The sort of fellow who intimidates men and seduces women. Fun at dinner parties, no?
Yet, God did use him.
It makes me wonder about what his life could have been if he had been more deliberate with keeping the Law, and been faithful to his Nazerite vow. It's bizarre to consider that every time the Holy Spirit came upon him, it was for an act of violence and strength.
Could he have actually liberated his people, if he had been more purposeful, and less prone to distraction? Could he have accomplished more, if he had stayed away from the ladies?
What areas of my own life are not submitted to my God? In what ways am I keeping from maximum effectiveness, because of my personal vices?
Although, I suppose my considerations could lean the other way, too. Samson fornicated, lots, and was still used by God....so perhaps I could get away with it too? Not.
Why is it that Samson did not fear God? I totally fear Him. Which often keeps me on the straight and narrow. How I desire to be useful, and to be pleasing to Him!
3 comments:
I remember decades ago struggling with the exact same ideas concerning Samson and David as well! I was further puzzled by the lives of the Christians around me and the fact that God still used them. It just did not make sense!
I finally had to come to the conclusion that God will use anyone, with or without their knowledge - with or without their obedience to Him (concurrent with being used by God!).
Then I struggled with - but if they had been obedient, how might God's usage of them have been different / what more might have been accomplished?
I am sure there are millions of untold stories where God used normal people to accomplish His goals, and yet the ones saved for us - were very broken men.
Maybe just so we can take heart and know we are really just like them....
D' has thoroughly impressed me! I want to be able to do a back flip in my living room, or anywhere else for that matter. I can do a back flip-dive at the pool, but that's about it.
I have thought a lot about the parents of Samson .Who earnestly sought out how to raise this son and did obey .
This brought me comfort when seeing my childen being disobedient despite my efferts to guide them .
There is alot to learn from their lives.
j
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