The Grand Illusion

People, as a rule, are stubborn.

I should know, because I am a person and I tend to be stubborn.

When it comes to life, we like to believe that we are in control.

But this belief is merely a self-imposed illusion.

The proof lies in the outcome of the plans that we make.

Sometimes, things work out the way we plan.

Often times, they do not.

That is some pretty compelling evidence.

If we were in complete control of our lives, shouldn’t everything work out the way we plan?

If we are not in control, then that leaves us with two possibilities.

Either no one is in control or someone else is.

If no one is in control then the entire system should break down.

Granted, the world has its share of problems.

There are wars, poverty, disease, ignorance and a host of other problems.

Despite all of these things, life goes on.

That leaves us with one option.

Someone is in control.

That raises the question of exactly who is in control.

There is only one possible answer.

God is in control.

Even the community of science gives us some glimpses of that.

The speed of light is a constant.

The acceleration due to gravity is another.

The list goes on.

As I said at the outset, I am stubborn.

Even as a Christian, I liked to think I was in control of my life.

Eventually, I learned to let go of the wheel.

Once I did that two things happened.

First, I discovered that I was actually able to enjoy the ride even more.

Second, I asked myself why I had not let go sooner.

Proverbs 19:21 (NET) – There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the LORD which will stand.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 6, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 13, 2014

Love

Valentine’s Day is soon to be upon us.

The moment Christmas was over stores committed aisles of shelves to this holiday.

The assortment of gifts includes candy, cards, flowers and jewelry.

I will not even hazard a guess as to how much money will be spent on this holiday.

Do not get me wrong.

I firmly believe that if you love someone you should demonstrate it.

I am also of the opinion that if you truly love someone, you should demonstrate it every day.

Love should not be measured by how much money we choose to spend on Valentine’s Day.

The English language further complicates things because there are different kinds of love; yet we only one word for it.

Perhaps that is why there are so many Valentine’s cards available.

Ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime, it is a challenge to find a card that expresses the kind of love we have for someone.

I wonder how we have taken something as basic and essential as love and turned it into something complicated.

When it comes to our love for others, there is no better guide than 1 Corinthians 13.

The opening verse sets the tone for the entire chapter.

1 Corinthians 13:1 (NET) – If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

The last verse sums matters up quite nicely.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET) – And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Paul reminds us that love is even greater than faith.

When Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important, He gave a two part answer,

Mark 12:30-31 (NET) – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

What about God’s love for us?

John 3:16-17 (NET) – For this is the way God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son , so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.

Do you want to feel even more loved?

What about the love of Jesus?

John 15:13-14 (NET) – No one has greater love than this – that one lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Perhaps it is time we look at love in an uncomplicated way again.

Perhaps we need to remind ourselves through the words of a song we were taught as children.

Its meaning has not changed even though we have.

I am sure you remember the words.

Jesus loves me. This I know

For the Bible tells me so.

With LOVE,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 20, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, February 27, 2014