Wednesday, March 30, 2016

“Most of the evil in this world is done by people with good intentions.” ~ T.S. Eliot

JUDGES 1-2

Israel begins to worship other God's after Joshua, Caleb and those originally with Moses' death...

20Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and said, “Because this nation has violated the covenant I ordained for their ancestors and has not listened to me, 21I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. 22I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their ancestors did.” 23The Lord had allowed those nations to remain; he did not drive them out at once by giving them into the hands of Joshua.

LUKE 7:1-30

Jesus heals a centurion's servant...

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

JOURNAL

I recently was confronted with the idea that people are all doing the best they know how...at first I bristled at this...thinking that so many times I have heard this and said this...when reality was that I knew better and to my estimation I was not.  I continually operated under this idea that I could get control of my actions and be perfect.  Reality is that has never happened.  In fact what I have continually discovered is that changing behavior is a grueling and difficult process.  

The reason is because there are so many subtle and sub-conscious things that influence the decisions I make everyday.  My past, my emotions...all derived from ingrained patterns of behavior that I do not consciously understand.  Therefore to think that I can just be convicted and understand right from wrong and then choose to do better is a pipe dream. 

So where does that leave me and where does that leave the world. It leaves me at the uncomfortable and vulnerable position of surrendering to God my best behavior and self-righteousness. It humbles me in a way that lets me know I can change nothing without surrendering to God...Admitting all the things I am powerless over...including all the "good" behaviors.  It leaves me in the very simple position of worrying over today, this moment rather than tomorrow. It finally leaves me in the position of gratitude for grace and forgiveness. 

Soo...thinking back through the idea that people are doing the best they can...I guess I agree and the reality is...that is why people need God and need a savior...because the best we can do is far, far from righteous.

 39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. (Luke 22:39-43)