Monday, February 27, 2017

Submission

     People are always shyed away from Christianity by the idea of submission. Women especially, because they are supposed to submit to God and their husbands.
     Women think that submitting to their husbands makes them weak. They think somehow it makes them worth less than their husbands.
     No one likes the idea of submitting to God. No one likes to think they aren't in control of their circumstances.
     All these issues with submission are trust issues. Women are afraid their husbands will abuse their power and look down on them. Women want to be seen as equals. Women may also not want to be a traditional housewife. Many women think that is part of submitting to a husband. But, this is misinformation. Submission is about a role and a mindset. Women are supposed to fufill the role of supporter to their husbands. How each husband needs supported depends on the man. For example, my husband and I decided to work to be debt free. My husband controls the money. But we both know our budget. However, recently he suggested we reduce our bills by cutting back our internet and changing insurance. I had to give up some online entertainment. I could have threw a fit and demanded we keep our current plan. But I submitted to his will because I trust him. I know he wants us debt free. Submission is a mindset that accepts someone's will for your life because you trust them.
     Trusting God's will for your life is harder. As a non-believer it is hard to trust someone you've never known. Even Christians can stop trusting God when life circumstances are difficult. When things are difficult we want to feel in control of our lives. Control makes us feel as if we can change our circumstances for the better. But we are supposed to SURRENDER control to God. We are supposed to trust that He has plans for us that are greater than we can imagine. Often He will not only lead us out of bad circumstances but use the sitiation to bring good into our lives.
     Trust really boils down to faith. Do you have faith in your spouse? As non-believer, you have to ask yourself if you believe that Jesus gave his life for you. If so, can you believe that same person would help you through your circumstances? If He would die for you, surely He would heal you. Or help you out of an abusive relationship. Or provide you a home. Or help restore your marriage.
     If you can trust your spouse, and God, you can submit to their will. It doesn't make you weak to be submissive. It makes you smart and strong!

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Luck and Fate vs. Blessing and Purpose

     Lots of people, Christians and non-Christians, believe in luck. Many also believe in fate. I don't believe in luck or the standard definition of fate. Luck happens because you did something right or wrong. Like rubbing a rabbit's foot or walking under a ladder. Sometimes luck happens for reasons that can't be explained. Luck is something you can't control. It can be either good or bad. It's something you have to hope for and also something to fear. Fate is defined as events beyond a person's control that are destined to turn out a certain way. It depends on who you ask as to who determines our fate. Some people believe that there are three goddesses called the fates who decide the fate of all humans. Some people believe that fate is determined by some cosmic balance. Some people believe that God determines our fate. Everyone, no matter who they think is in control, believes that we cannot know or change our fate. The inability to determine our fate frightens people. So people who believe in luck and fate, live in fear.
     However, there are a select group of people who live in not fear but peace. This is a select group of Christians that have truly come to know God. You see, I believe that fate is determined by God but not in the way most people think. I believe that God has a divine purpose for our lives. What I mean by that is that God has given each person a task to fulfill during their time on Earth. He gave each person talents and abilities in order to help us complete that task. He put us in families that shape the people we become. He brings people into our lives to help us complete this task. He blesses us with the things we need to complete our task. This designing of our lives and bringing us people and resources necessary to fulfill our purpose in life, is what I call fate. If you are going to fulfill a purpose or achieve a task, you have to know what it is you are going to do. In this way, my definition of fate differs from the standard definition. I think of God's control of my fate with this analogy: Our lives are a beautiful symphony. God is the author of that symphony and the conductor. You and all the people close to you are the musicians. You are playing an instrument. That instrument is your gifts and abilities given to you by God. You have been given a solo to play during the symphony. But there are also parts you play in conjunction with the other musicians.
     Luck has no place in a life lived with God. One reason we don't need luck is because we have been promised provision. God gives us everything we need to fulfill our purpose and blesses us with even more. God promises us a life of abundance! But the other reason not to believe in luck but instead in blessing, is because it is a life without fear. Since blessing comes from God you know that it will always be good. So instead of fear you can live in peace.
     Still even with God in control people can feel hesitant to let someone else control their fate. This is an issue of trust. Maybe you would not let your next door neighbor, Sue, write and conduct your symphony. But this is God! Given His omnipotence and love for us, I think we can trust Him!
     So my hope is that, number one, people would chose a life with God. Two, that they would come to know God in a way that they would understand my definition of fate. Three, that they would chose to live a life based on purpose and blessing rather than luck and fear. Four, that they would find their God given purpose and fulfill it. I believe this would bless them and so many others. I believe it would truly change the world!