I have never really struggled with the larger theological issues of my "Christian" faith. I know a lot of people who say they can't believe or who struggle with doubt and crises of faith because they can't wrap their minds around certain issues. The concept of the trinity bothers some. For others it is predestination vs. free will. A lot of folks have a problem with the story of creation. Like where did Cain's wife come from?
I have never had a problem with these issues. I am not saying I understand them, I just haven't struggled with them. I don't stay up at night worrying about whether or not I need to be a Pre, Mid, or Post millennialist. I am, by the way, and Pan-millennialist. I believe it will all pan out in the end.
But here is something I have struggled with for a long time. This has really stuck in my head.
I will set the scene. I was at some church dinner/ fellowship function, as we are known to have quite often in the South, with a friend. We were quite young. It was a "hot dog fellowship." I'll wait for you to stop laughing.
Her preacher says it is now time to bless the food. Everyone removes their caps, closes their eyes, and bows their heads. Digressing for a second; I have always had a problem closing my eyes. Just a thing. I stare at the floor or look around. I am like that. Anyways..... The preacher begins asking the Lord's blessing on us and the food. Here is what stuck in my head and bothered me. He asked the Lord to "bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies"
Did you catch that? This is a HOT DOG fellowship. Isn't that asking a bit much of the Lord? Don't get me wrong, I believe in miracles. I have seen people healed and have been healed myself, but come on. I just don't see God Almighty making an Oscar Mayer dog nutritious all of the sudden because we beseeched Him to do so. I can not wrap my head around that.
I believe that the Lord does intervene, but I also believe that we reap what we sow. God reaching out and making hot dogs suddenly nourishing would fly in the face of that. Just a bit. Plus, what a slap in the face to the vegetables that would be. All this time they have been sitting there, being all nutritious and whatnot, and then because a couple of rednecks asked him, the Lord makes those particular hot dogs healthy.
Then again, this might have some "Prodigal Son" parallels going on here. Or maybe better yet it might have parallels to the workers and wages parable. You know, the one where Jesus is talking about a boss picking up workers at different times throughout the day and paying them all the same wages. Then he finally picks up another worker with like one hour left in the work day, yet pays him the same all those who have worked all day. Not fair from our point of view, but that is how the Kingdom of God works.
I don't know. I still refuse to believe that the Lord is going to reach out His divine hand and make my Ballpark frank healthy for me.
Any thoughts?
I have never had a problem with these issues. I am not saying I understand them, I just haven't struggled with them. I don't stay up at night worrying about whether or not I need to be a Pre, Mid, or Post millennialist. I am, by the way, and Pan-millennialist. I believe it will all pan out in the end.
But here is something I have struggled with for a long time. This has really stuck in my head.
I will set the scene. I was at some church dinner/ fellowship function, as we are known to have quite often in the South, with a friend. We were quite young. It was a "hot dog fellowship." I'll wait for you to stop laughing.
Her preacher says it is now time to bless the food. Everyone removes their caps, closes their eyes, and bows their heads. Digressing for a second; I have always had a problem closing my eyes. Just a thing. I stare at the floor or look around. I am like that. Anyways..... The preacher begins asking the Lord's blessing on us and the food. Here is what stuck in my head and bothered me. He asked the Lord to "bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies"
Did you catch that? This is a HOT DOG fellowship. Isn't that asking a bit much of the Lord? Don't get me wrong, I believe in miracles. I have seen people healed and have been healed myself, but come on. I just don't see God Almighty making an Oscar Mayer dog nutritious all of the sudden because we beseeched Him to do so. I can not wrap my head around that.
I believe that the Lord does intervene, but I also believe that we reap what we sow. God reaching out and making hot dogs suddenly nourishing would fly in the face of that. Just a bit. Plus, what a slap in the face to the vegetables that would be. All this time they have been sitting there, being all nutritious and whatnot, and then because a couple of rednecks asked him, the Lord makes those particular hot dogs healthy.
Then again, this might have some "Prodigal Son" parallels going on here. Or maybe better yet it might have parallels to the workers and wages parable. You know, the one where Jesus is talking about a boss picking up workers at different times throughout the day and paying them all the same wages. Then he finally picks up another worker with like one hour left in the work day, yet pays him the same all those who have worked all day. Not fair from our point of view, but that is how the Kingdom of God works.
I don't know. I still refuse to believe that the Lord is going to reach out His divine hand and make my Ballpark frank healthy for me.
Any thoughts?
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