Really, it's a valid question. Why do we pray that "Thy Will be done" when we know that His Will will be done? Is it a hope that no matter our mistakes and failures God's supremacy over everything will still bring us to where He wants us to be? Is it just a reminder to ourselves that His Will is what we should desire? Or is it just some sort of formality, recognizing God's power?
Honestly, I think we forget the power of His Will sometimes. I know I do. I believe that, theoretically, I can make mistakes and still end up where God wants me to be. We could get into this "well, how can you make mistakes that aren't in His Will when His Will is always occuring" or whatever, but that's a debate over misnomers and dichotomies and*insert big words here*. Here, I understand that God is victorious over everything, and man is fallen. Man has a free will, but God is supreme. Complicated, confusing, debatable, whatever.. you can get over it, or stop reading. =)
Many people have questions about what happens if they disobeyed God.
Here are hypothetical situations that many people have experience:
Example #1: Choosing college: I felt called to go to University A, but in my selfishness I said yes to University B, and I am now attending University B.
Sometimes God makes it impossible to make the wrong decision. Like he would have University B decline you, or University B lost all your paperwork and blames it on you... or they wont give you money. But sometimes God says "well, alright. whatever." And lets you make mistakes. But does that mean that you are officially "out of God's Will" and you'll end up some place where you're just miserable and lonely? I don't think so. I think you will end up exactly where God has always planned for you to be, it just might not be what God really really wanted for you.
Example #2: dating and marriage: So I was dating this dude, but I did something bad and ruined our relationship, and we are now no longer together. What if he was the one I was supposed to marry? Did I ruin my chances of happiness with my true love?
Now there are many possibilities and situational issues in this one. But the main question here is "what if he was the one I was supposed to marry?" and my question back is "Do you not believe that God is sovereign over your mistakes, too?" If he's the one you're supposed to marry, then God will work through the issues to make the future marriage more amazing.
This is debatable, I know, as is about everything else I've said, but this is what I believe. I believe that in the end, I will be who, what, and where I'm supposed to be, though I may have taken different pathways than what God wanted for me.
This is what His Will is.
When we pray "Thy Will be done" we are stating that it WILL be done, no matter what. We are reminding ourselves that God is greater than the mistakes we make.
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." -1 Corinthians 1:25
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?!?!?!
It means He is greater than me, it means He is greater than us, it means that EVEN if God were a fool, He'd be smarter than any one of us. EVEN IF God were weak, He'd STILL be stronger than all of us. ISN'T THAT AMAZING?
ISN'T GOD AMAZING?
(can I get an AMEN?)
This verse reminds me that God is so so so so SO sovereign over EVERYTHING. SO glorious and wonderful and awesome and powerful that when we wee-little things make mistakes, God says "well, alright, I don't want you to go that way because I love you, but you'll still end up where you're supposed to be, because I love you and you are mine."
IT'S SO AWESOMMMMME.
Praise the Lord God!! HALLELUJAH!!
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Jimmy Carter and Women
I thought it was funny today when i heard from my parents that former-pres Jimmy Carter separated himself from the Baptist church because they are discriminating against women (apparently cause of Eve.)
I think i should tell my idea of womens rights and equality.
Some girls that I know think that I'm horrible because I'm not all for equal rights of women and such. Truthfully some of it is a little ridiculous.
I'm all for equal opportunity in the office space and voting and such, that's cool, as long as the women are qualified for the job, and not getting the job just because they are meeting a women-to-men status. I think the attempt is (mostly) honorable.
Just like the prohibition laws.
Honestly, though, women will not see equal opportunity in some fields for quite a while. I think women should have the chance to pursue whatever job they would like, but they better be qualified and good, just like the men who have jobs should be qualified in theirs.
It's also how i feel about scholarships for minorities, because I know of myself and others who are more qualified for that kind of money v. some people who get money just cause their a "minority."
but i digress.
As for Mr. Carter and his fight, i think its modernly admirable, but perhaps more socially founded than biblically. Carter is standing up for the common woman today, whose only desire is to just do what she wants to do, as she stands in a business suit in a middle of New York City, with the wind blowing through her hair and dramatic music in the background.
Honestly, I'm fine with being "subjugated" as Carter puts it. I am okay with being subservient to my husband. Um, isnt that my job as a wife anyway? I don't like the idea of a powerhouse wife controlling the man, because that's a house doomed to fail (reference to Jon and Kate). The Bible places the man as the core of the house, in all relations and spirituality.
Also, women have their place, too.
No, not in the kitchen.
But at the same time, yes. I've percieved the role of a wife to be subservient to the man of the house, and taking care of him, because (heaven knows) most men can't really take care of things like women do. (cleaning house, cooking (well), constant laundry, raising kids while dad's at work, etc.) She must be an individual, and stand on her own strongly to support the man, while he holds the burden (spiritually and usually financially). Really, one without the other is do-able, if in the will of God, but not ideal. And really not something I'd want to pursue.
I think women should have jobs. To raise money before kids, and to spend time after kids. But i'm a full supporter of stay-at-home moms, if financially possible. I think women should have a life outside of the house (and away from their husbands). Women spiritual support groups, ministry opportunities, or even sport activities or hobbies. I imagine a girl can go crazy if all she has is her husband and kids for 18 years or so. Therefore, I support networking.
It seems as though Carter is peeved because women just dont have any hope any more because of their religion and/or culture. (He refers to Islamic tradition of strict rules and limitations on woman. How it relates to Baptists?--not sure.)
I'm putting my trust in the members of SBC to be pursuing and obeying God. If not, then women's rights is the least of everyone's worries.
I won't argue or discuss the matter of women having positions as deacons or chaplains and such. I don't have much knowledge in that field. All i know is that there are qualifications in 1 Timothy 3: 8-13 for deacons and their wives. Is it biblical to "vice versa" that?
I really do question where Mr. Carter has his foundation of women's rights. If he gives me a few good Bible references supporting himself, I would consider his article and separation a fight well fought, but right now, I'm just not so sure.
I think i should tell my idea of womens rights and equality.
Some girls that I know think that I'm horrible because I'm not all for equal rights of women and such. Truthfully some of it is a little ridiculous.
I'm all for equal opportunity in the office space and voting and such, that's cool, as long as the women are qualified for the job, and not getting the job just because they are meeting a women-to-men status. I think the attempt is (mostly) honorable.
Just like the prohibition laws.
Honestly, though, women will not see equal opportunity in some fields for quite a while. I think women should have the chance to pursue whatever job they would like, but they better be qualified and good, just like the men who have jobs should be qualified in theirs.
It's also how i feel about scholarships for minorities, because I know of myself and others who are more qualified for that kind of money v. some people who get money just cause their a "minority."
but i digress.
As for Mr. Carter and his fight, i think its modernly admirable, but perhaps more socially founded than biblically. Carter is standing up for the common woman today, whose only desire is to just do what she wants to do, as she stands in a business suit in a middle of New York City, with the wind blowing through her hair and dramatic music in the background.
Honestly, I'm fine with being "subjugated" as Carter puts it. I am okay with being subservient to my husband. Um, isnt that my job as a wife anyway? I don't like the idea of a powerhouse wife controlling the man, because that's a house doomed to fail (reference to Jon and Kate). The Bible places the man as the core of the house, in all relations and spirituality.
Also, women have their place, too.
No, not in the kitchen.
But at the same time, yes. I've percieved the role of a wife to be subservient to the man of the house, and taking care of him, because (heaven knows) most men can't really take care of things like women do. (cleaning house, cooking (well), constant laundry, raising kids while dad's at work, etc.) She must be an individual, and stand on her own strongly to support the man, while he holds the burden (spiritually and usually financially). Really, one without the other is do-able, if in the will of God, but not ideal. And really not something I'd want to pursue.
I think women should have jobs. To raise money before kids, and to spend time after kids. But i'm a full supporter of stay-at-home moms, if financially possible. I think women should have a life outside of the house (and away from their husbands). Women spiritual support groups, ministry opportunities, or even sport activities or hobbies. I imagine a girl can go crazy if all she has is her husband and kids for 18 years or so. Therefore, I support networking.
It seems as though Carter is peeved because women just dont have any hope any more because of their religion and/or culture. (He refers to Islamic tradition of strict rules and limitations on woman. How it relates to Baptists?--not sure.)
I'm putting my trust in the members of SBC to be pursuing and obeying God. If not, then women's rights is the least of everyone's worries.
I won't argue or discuss the matter of women having positions as deacons or chaplains and such. I don't have much knowledge in that field. All i know is that there are qualifications in 1 Timothy 3: 8-13 for deacons and their wives. Is it biblical to "vice versa" that?
I really do question where Mr. Carter has his foundation of women's rights. If he gives me a few good Bible references supporting himself, I would consider his article and separation a fight well fought, but right now, I'm just not so sure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)