CONFUSION CAN BE HELPED (5th in series)

(New additions are made each Monday and Thursday)

And what does our Lord want us to do to improve our handling of confusion. He wants us to let the Bible speak to us. When we say, “It’s impossible,” read in Luke (18:27) where Jesus says, What is impossible with men is possible with God. Or when we complain, “I’m too tired,” read Matthew (11:28-30) and hear His words, "Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Or, when we are depressed and moan, “I can’t forgive myself” read 1st John (1:9) – "If we confess our sins, he is faithful, and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

God just wants us to admit that He has all knowledge and therefore is smarter than we will ever be. Because He knows that when we do this, we will stop trying to second guess His teachings and drawing our own confusions.

A case in point; one day a small factory had to shut down. A piece of machinery had quit and wouldn’t start again, no matter what anyone did. Finally, they called in an expert. The mechanic stood in front of the machine for a moment, then walked over and gave it a light tap with his hammer. Immediately it started up and continued running as if nothing had ever been wrong. However, when he submitted his bill for $100.00 the plant manager hit the roof and demanded an itemized bill. When submitted it read as follows: Tapping the machine - $1.00. Knowing where to tap the machine - $99.00.

And that’s how it is with your Lord and mine. He is the resident expert on how to keep our souls running on all cylinders, and running well. Which is why He wants us to hire Him to manage our lives on a regular basis. And once we do, He then asks for the right to make some major changes in our lives. And that’s where the rub comes in. Because we human beings don’t like change we complain that the price is too high and put forth our own agenda. That’s when we ask for trouble – and get it.

Which is why our progress report, called life, often comes up so lacking. It is, after all, a recording of our attitudes and actions, an on-going reflection of whether we have a reverence for God in life or create a Godless life.

It is all, really, very much like a game of cards. And whether we win or lose often depends not so much on the cards we are dealt, but how we play the game.

(A new series is coming up soon entitled PRAYER, A CONVERSATION OR COMMUNICATION)