It really bugs me when people use their good luck as proof of God's existence. A friend of mine was exclaiming that her success in getting a good job was proof that God exists and that He loves her. I am very glad that she has a good job. And I think it's important to be thankful for these things. However, I hate hate hate the mentality that God exists to make us happy and/or successful. Nothing could be further from the truth. God exists. We exist to glorify Him. Therefore, I will proclaim and honor Him whether I am poor or rich, whether I am homeless or live in a mansion, whether I have a job or am unemployed.
Don't even get me started on the sermon "Jesus came to fulfill your dreams" that Brenden and I had to suffer through.
*Rolls eyes*
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Good questions. I think babies are just a natural result of biology; the system God has set up. And I think jobs are just a necessity to live ("He who does not work, does not eat."). Of course, we can look at both (jobs and babies) as blessings and results from prayer but not proof in His existence. But I don't think those who are infertile or those who are unemployed are any less loved or blessed by God. I think that God's direct blessings are more spiritual than physical. I don't believe God cares as much about our earthly happiness as some would believe.
I can see the danger in deciding that God is just there to give you what you want.
Do you think he sends blessings? Are babies "gifts" that he purposely gives a couple who is seeking him? Or are they part of the natural result of biology?
I would ask the same thing about jobs - is that just how society works? Or is God looking out for those who pray to him and opening a door for them. Can a job ever be a blessing?
I definitely see what you are saying. I'm trying to reconcile it with biblical reports, like the story of Hannah. Maybe that was a special case.
I'm not sure exactly how I feel about all of it! But I am personally very hesitant about suggesting that God doesn't give us gifts here on earth (every good and perfect gift!) not all of which are spiritual.
I'm a ninny and deleted my first comment by accident and now they are out of order and look weird.
Hmmmph!
Haha..oops! The mind and the heart of God are so mysterious. I love thinking about it and wondering about it though. Who knows what is right? There seems to be a stark difference between the stories of the OT and today's world. The question is, how involved is God in our lives?
Very good points. We all have a path in this journey of life. God is the author and he has a role for us each to play. When things happen to us we should not be asking “why?” or “is God blessing me?” but rather “what does this mean?” and “where should I go with this?” No two paths are the same and when we seek understanding and guidance from our Father, even the difficult parts can be an adventure and a blessing. I do believe He has good in store for all his children but that is from His view not ours and sometimes the path can be rough or sometimes we make it rough on ourselves. Dave and I wanted children. But God did not have that written in our story but the story has been and is a grand one full of love and adventure. Dave and I wanted to settle into a life of ministry walking along side the same people for a life time watching them grow, marry, have babies and raise families. But God did not write our story that way either. Instead we have lived in different places and made so many dear friends. If we had tried to snatch the pen out of God’s hand and write our own story, I’m sure we would have made a mess of it.
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