The God that Hears

I've had a continuous relationship with God over my life.  That doesn't mean I've always thought God was worthy or that God was right.  I still have my doubts about both, but God hasn't ever had a problem with my questioning..  those problems usually came from men.  But, I think it is a Divine quality to allow others to struggle in the places where struggle is important to growth and not take it personally.  Plus, I think it is a Divine quality to question things.  My own kids have questioned me at times, and I don't think that is a bad thing.  As I said about one of them one time, if they are strong enough to question ME, they are going to be ok in life.

But, I did use to question God a lot and sometimes I felt angry at God.  None of that means I didn't have a relationship with God.  True relationships allow for true conflict.  God and the devil have a very old relationship, as well as other divine figures that walk independently.  But, I use to cast a lot of anger at God for what happened to me in life, presuming that God was responsible.  We get that idea that God is responsible by attributing to him the concept of Providence and believing that all things are being directed by him for our good.  But, I watch 5 people run red lights every single week.  People do not follow Divine direction, nor does things like disease, bacteria, or our own choices or the choices of others.  So, how can I hold God responsible for the freedom of others, unless I want God to take away all freedom, which I do not want.

But, as I swayed and screamed and acted out, I not only found that God was patient but that He LISTENED... not that he was waiting around for us to figure it out but actually HEARD me, because he cared enough to pay attention and offer care and consolation in the middle of it all.

So, this post is not to say to go church, because honestly I don't want to play roulette with whether you go to a good one or one that will take advantage of your pain to their own ends.  I don't want to involve religion at all.  But, I will say.. from my own experience.. that God is there and is listening, whenever you want to talk, and sometimes, that may be all you need.

Ask Why

There is a wonderful scene in Ted Lasso that I have in my most recent Youtube playlist where Ted is playing darts with his boss's ex, who underestimated his ability.  Ted gives this speech about being underestimated most of his life, and he says that he finally understood that their problem wasn't with him but was because they were judgmental, not curious, because a curious person would ask if he had played darts, which he had.

So many people are quick to make snap decisions about someone or even worse to make determined judgments about someone and then to so commit to that judgment that they will not only not waver from the judgment but will invest in making sure that others hold the same opinion and to point out enough flaws to justify their condemnation, as well.  You see this on both sides, politically, and it is one reason that I withhold endorsement from either side, as I have seen both do it.

But, to move off of politics or even personal interactions, it touches on a bigger factor, and that is that in order to really make wise decisions in this life and to grow, we must develop a habit of asking... why.  WHY did that thing happen in my life?  WHY do I respond the way that I do?  WHY am I not reaching my goals?  WHY am I failing at my attempts at dating, friendships, work life balance, hobby success, finding peace, finding joy, BEING joy and peace and love to others, and more.  If you do not ask, you will not change.  If you do not change your way about doing things from your patterns, you can only expect the same results.  I routinely evaluate the things that I am doing to determine if there is a better way of doing it, and I intentionally surround myself with people that disagree so that I will get all sides of an issue and to have someone to tell me things that I don't want to hear.  How else can you grow, if you only listen to those that are like you.

So, this week, I would simply say this.. ask why... ask it about yourself. Ask it about your habits.  Ask it about your opinions.  Ask it about your choices.  Ask it about the things that others accept without question.  And, ask it about things that have no bearing on you at all, if only to truly understand another person or the world in which we live.  I look forward to the wonderful world that you will discover within you and outside you.  Have fun.