It always amazes me how my nephew, Jester Sean would show obedience to his mother. His love and allegiance go out only to her--no question about that. And this is inspite the fact that he got scolded almost everyday by her mom. I remember that there was one time I asked him to do something but he refused to do so without his mom's consent. I wondered, how can he be so obedient (loyal) to her? I don't scold him the way she does? I just don't get it. I couldn't seem to comprehend how his innocent love can actually lead him to obey no other person but his mom.
There probably isn't any easy way of handling my own confusion but I found the following realization somewhat acceptable to satisfy this little argument that kept on going in my mind.
I realized that my life right now is surrounded by people (men or women) who are in sinful relationships (meaning people who are: living-in with girlfriend/boyfriend, having sexual/physical relationship with someone outside marriage, in adulterous/bigamous/polygamous relationships, homosexual relationships among others). And despite the fact that these people perfectly know that the situations they are in are morally unacceptable and destructive to society (and to themselves), they just couldn't simply live their lives without these relationships. For whatever reason, they find it too difficult to leave either their partner or the relationship. I am disturbed, deeply disturbed that people no longer live by their conscience and that society seems to slowly accept that this is but a fact of life.
On the other hand, I also am reminded of some of my friends especially those who are in community who managed to follow a certain way of life...those who would rather be lonely than be in these kinds of relationships...those who believe in abstinence before marriage...those who are single and yet meaningfully living their lives.
Personally, I think that what separates those who can and cannot say "no" to a sinful relationship is a personal and deep relationship with God. It might be difficult to affirm a strong correlation between one's relationship with God and the decision to stay in or out of a sinful relationship but based on my own experience, my relationship with God compels me to do ONLY that what is pleasing and honorable in His sight. And for me though, being in sinful relationship is never a part of God's plan for us.
I will be forever grateful that God has somehow sheltered me from living the same life. If not for my relationship with Him, I probably would end up being in the same miserable situation. I owe my wonderful life to God. I must say that my life has not been easy; there were high mountains to climb and few storms to weather (and this holds true even in matters of my own heart) but God remains to be the Source of my joy and a Great Comfort in times of loneliness.
My life is a product of an everyday struggle to choose life over death, to choose good over evil and to choose God over other things. It knows no other love than that which springs from God and follows no other road than that which leads to Him. I want to believe that if I ever obey God, it is not out of fear but out of love. Such obedience is not inherent, I believe. It is but a response to God's abiding love for me over the years inspite of my unworthiness. I realized that when one is deeply loved, there seems to be no better way to respond than to obey the one to whom one has found and experienced love. Such, I think is better explained by a love between mother and child...between my sister and her son, Jester Sean...between God and me.
Note:
I obtained the photo from the web.
The God of the Covenant - Reflections from the Story of Noah and the Ark
I first heard of this story when I was still very small. I really liked that part when God sent a rainbow in the sky as His sign of promise to Noah. Back then, I never fully understood the lesson of this story. I realized later on that this is more than just a children's story. It tells so much about God's faithfulness and mercy to those who believe in His words and promises and remain faithful to His ways.
The passage is a bit long but I decided to pick the thoughts that are most important for me.
The Flood
Because of man's sinful ways, God decided to wipe away His creations by flood but exempted Noah and his family of this wrath because He found him to be a just and righteous man. The Lord God commanded Noah to build an ark to save him and his family from the flood. He gave very specific instructions to Noah on how he was supposed to build the ark - the size and all, as well as what he needed to bring with him inside the ark.
For an ordinary person like Noah, to be able to hear God's instructions simply tells us something about his deep and intimate relationship with the Lord. A person who listens to God can do the most unimaginable things to accomplish God's works and can bring His plans into fruition.
Genesis 7:17- 24: God's Silence during the Flood
It is noteworthy in this passage that when the rain begun pouring, the Scriptures did not make any mention on how God dealt with Noah. I am quiet sure that Noah and his family were very frightened and anxious while they were inside the ark. The water outside was continuously rising and the rain had not stopped pouring for forty days and forty nights. They might have been so terrified on what could happen to them amidst the flood.
In our own journey of faith, the same things can happen to us. We find God to be silent at times and this can cause so much anxiety on our part especially if we are in the midst of a very difficult situation. I think the best response is really that of Noah's. He remained steadfast and attentive and peaceful even when God became silent. He believed that the God who called him to make the ark would not abandon him and his family until the floodwaters ran dry.
Genesis 8:1-9:17: God's Faithfulness and The Covenant
When the flood subsided, the Lord made a covenant to Noah that never again would He send flood to destroy humankind. And in order for the Lord to remember that covenant, He sent a rainbow to the sky as a sign of that promise.
The Lord never let the same tragedy happen to us. And although time and again the world disobeys and sins, God remains faithful to that promise.
A Rainbow in the middle of the Storm
I am a person who can really attest that when God promises something, He is faithful enough to keep it. Let me tell you a personal story of how His promise came to pass in my own life.
Back in 2003, when I was trying to get myself a job, I experienced difficulty in trusting the Lord. For almost three (3) months of bumming around, I found myself starting to question God's faithfulness in this particular area. At that time, I had this one job prospect I really liked and which at that time, I was earnestly praying for.
One day, after an interview with another company I went straight to a mall for a little strolling. I passed by a small kiosk selling beautiful wooden wall decors. My attention was caught by this simple display with a passage from Jeremiah 29:11-God says, "For I know the plans I have for you; plans not to harm you but to prosper you. Plans to give you hope and a future". I felt that God was speaking to me through that passage. So, I brought His words with me on my way home and really claimed that that promise would be fulfilled in His perfect time.
That passage gave me peace from then on and sustained me while waiting for that dream job. But in just about a week or so, I got a call from that company and they told me that I needed to start working on my requirements. I got my dream job, brothers and sisters! And to top it all, when my supervisor was introduced to me, I learned that his name is Jeremiah (and then I remembered Jeremiah 29:11!).
I always refuse to believe that that experience was coincidental. I am convinced that it was God's way of reminding me that I can always take His word for it. I can rest my life on Him for He is faithful and loving. God's words in the Scriptures served as my rainbow at that time. His words were more than enough to give me peace and hope in the midst of the storm.
Our own Covenant with the Lord
Brothers and sisters, truly we have a faithful God! As we approach the Feast of the Covenant, we do not only call to mind His faithfulness to us individually but also as a community. I believe that the Lord God wants to say to us the same words He spoke to Noah and his family, "...and behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you." His faithfulness does not only go out to us but even to those who will come after us if we remain faithful and steadfast until the end.
A blessed Feast of the Covenant to us all!
Note: Photo obtained from the web
Reposted from NDE Yahoogroups column "My Take on Scriptures: The God of the Covenant - Reflections from the Story of Noah and the Ark
