Does anybody have any hope that the stimulus package that our government is trying to shove down our throats has any chance of working? I don't want to be a cynic, and I am praying for our president that he will be led by God and succeed, but REALLY... I don't see any hope for this junk that our government thinks will work.
I was listening to a radio talk show host who said that we gave $17 billion dollars to General Motors, and that it is not working. On top of that, the taxpayers aren't even the first in line to get paid back... The banks will be paid first! REALLY! In fact, the government that said we couldn't let GM fail and go into bankruptcy is now suggesting that we force GM into bankruptcy so that we can get our money back. There's some efficiency in government, don't you think? That same talk show host also said that we have spent nearly $10 trillion dollars since October trying to "bail out" our economy. That is enough money to pay almost 90% of ALL mortgages in the United States. Would that stimulate your economy if you only owed 10% on your house?
Hope is a funny word. It gets thrown around like it comes easily or like it is cheap... But hope is a precious commodity. We all need hope. Hope for a better future... hope for relief from a horrible past... hope for a divine destiny. In Romans 8, Paul says this... "Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
What are you hoping for? An eternal life in heaven? That has been promised. Are you hoping for relief from the pains of this life? God's Spirit is here to help. Do you wish (hope) that your life would be better than it is? God's wish for you is an "abundant life" (John 10:10).
But, I've been struggling with something. I have been thinking how we all wish we could just arrive at our destination, and we miss much when we ignore the journey. When we're 13 we wish we were 16. When we get married we hope that we'll just begin with a perfect marriage. When we struggle with our weight we pray that the pounds will just disappear. When we become a follower of Jesus we think that God will impart on us the perfect life that we have always wanted. The problem is that in each of these instances, we miss the journey... the process... the growth.
Even when we realize that it is a process, sometimes we look for the rules, regulations or guidelines that will help us get there. "If I just do this..." "It worked for them..." "What's the least I can do..." The problem with rules and regulations (especially when it comes to our faith) is that they can never substitute for a real relationship or real progress. The journey is what it is all about.
God doesn't want robots who do the "right" thing, but don't even know him. Walking with God every day is how we live out this hope... it's how we grow in relationship with him and progress towards the eternal life he has promised. And how much more fulfilling will that life be when it is spent with a God who we know intimately! Living by rules and regulations (or expecting others to live by our rules and regulations) means that we don't trust God's Spirit to live in us (or in others), and to direct our (their) paths.
Divine destiny can only be found in a daily walk with God! Where will your journey take you?
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