Jan 23rd, 2022: Our Interaction With God

 

I wrote this note to some of my friends last year when we discussed the meaning of our interaction with God. Different people have different approaches to their interaction with God according to their circumstances. Let us consider a few possibilities.


When things are going well - There is no need for God: We are often guilty of this. We don't pray as much or become very mechanical in our prayers. We begin to feel the distance that exists between God and us.


When things are not going great - Why me? God? Jesus did not exclude Himself from suffering. So why are we surprised when we have to suffer in this world.? It is part of following Jesus.


When things are not going anywhere - Where is God? Self-pity is not that uncommon. We might not have the freedom to acknowledge it. We don't have the wisdom the look for the lessons we need to learn about God and ourselves when things don't go well.


When others' lives are going well - We ask why them and not me, God? Jealousy and envy are too common in humanity. We feel as if we are not treated fairly and deserve better. We believe that we should be the center of the universe and don't think much about others.


When things are going awfully for others - Well, maybe God is on my side: Our failure to understand blessings has made us ungracious and self-righteous. Sometimes God might decide to bless us even though we don't deserve it. We might be better off using God's blessings to bless others. 


When nothing good is happening - It could be that God forgot that He created me: Self-preoccupation distorts our view of God and the world. We don't see ourselves at the center anymore, and we are uncomfortable with that.


Romans 5: 1-5


"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

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