"Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span?" We might say that our quest in life is the pursuit of happiness. But when happiness alludes us, stress replaces happiness. In faith terms we call this the Problem of Evil. If God is good and loves us, why do the innocent suffer - why am I suffering? We have already looked into this in the posts, The Trouble With Weeds - [part I] & [part II] If the quest of life is the pursuit of happiness, then answering the argument of evil is the quest of faith. Is there meaning in the struggles I face, if so, what?
When man walked upon the surface of the moon, no life was found, only the silence of empty existence. By contrast, looking back upon the earth, a planet, teaming with life, filled the imagination with wonder and awe. All the countless individual struggles that are conspiring together in the give and take of living, are now seen as one magnificent manifestation of life and purpose.
For now, we are unable to see the whole picture of our life's purpose in God's plan. Because of this we are vulnerable to deception and discouragement. So the Spirit comes to us in prayer, especially the prayer of contemplation, and lifts us up, beyond our narrow view of the present moment, and enables us to see beyond, to gaze into the bigger picture of God's design. Like moon walkers, we may see only the empty grayness of our present struggles - until the Spirit re-orientates our outlook, causing us to see how it all comes together into one perfect whole. No scientist, no philosopher can do this for us, only the Spirit can enter the moonscape of our desolation to show us the consolation that is found in God's perfect plan for us.
Luke Chapter 12
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He said to [his] disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do
not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what
you will wear.
For life is more than food and the body more than
clothing.
Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have
neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are
you than birds!
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Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your
life-span?
If even the smallest things are beyond your control,
why are you anxious about the rest?
Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin.
But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of
them.
If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows
today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for
you, O you of little faith?
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As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what
you are to drink,
and do not worry anymore.
All the nations of the world seek for these things, and
your Father knows that you need them.
Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will
be given you besides.
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Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your
Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags
for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that
no thief can reach nor moth destroy.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart
be.
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