C
Cleansed44
Guest
Hello out there,
I am writing because I had a rather odd experience tonight and thought it presented an opportunity to learn about myself and the nature of our doubts. I read the forums a lot for edification purposes and just to know I am not the only person that has doubts, troubles, and confusion. I notice a lot of people (including myself) ask, ask, ask, and ask God for certain things. Maybe not "miracles" so to speak, but possibly the answers to questions and in some cases miracles. To the point... I wanted to talk about disbelief and whether we are actually capable of accepting God's amazing works when they slap us in the face. Maybe this story will provide a good example:
I went to my car tonight to get my study Bible, on my way out my dog slipped out the front door with me and relieved himself. I wasn't thinking too hard about it, better on the flowers than on the carpet right? Well he took off through the neighborhood. I wasn't too upset about it as he does this regularly but I called for him because I wanted to get him in the house and go to bed. Besides, he has came back every time he has done this. I tried for about 5-10 minutes to call him back with no luck.
I decided to just turn on the porch light and study my Bible until he got back. I am really tired, so I thought I would just prop the door so that the tongue didn't actually engage with the door frame. This way he could easily push it open and wake me up in case I fell asleep. (I know I'm so clever...NOT! I would have probably stayed asleep and let bugs rush in all night!)
I thought this was a pretty good idea. Well I became anxious about it and really wanted him to get back to the house just so I could sleep easy. I started to pray. I thanked God for a great worship service tonight and everything that he has done for me. I am trying to get away from begging God for miracles that are going to remove the consequences of my past sin and focusing more on the great things He has done for me instead of the things I have screwed up and feel condemnation for. It's much more enjoyable.
I talk to God like a friend from time to time. I remember in my prayer, after praising His works, making a small request. I'm paraphrasing but here it is, "Lord, if you would, just touch that little monster(my dog) and bring him back to the door. That is if you work on animals... I know you can and can see it happening but I know this is a rather insignificant matter. I just want to go to sleep." It was something along those lines.
I opened my eyes to just check as soon as I finished that statement-no Amen just to see if I could pray for a "sign" or whatever. My dog was staring at me through the door as soon as I opened them. He wasn't making a noise, pawing at the door, or anything... just looking at me. LITERALLY "BROUGHT TO THE DOOR." He will normally scratch at it because he's thirsty or hot, but he was just staring at me.
I know that was long winded but I wanted to provide a detailed narrative. I was dumbfounded, which brings me to my point. A lot of us have a tendency to ask for miracles or signs, but are we ready to accept them? I found myself trying to find a rational explanation. Well he was probably coming back anyway, coincidental timing, things like that. I wasn't even prepared to give glory to God for it. I caught myself and praised Him, but have to be honest I am still dumbfounded and trying to understand.
In my youth I remember praying and asking God to "move my ceiling fan" as I was staring at my ceiling thinking and asking for a sign to prove His existence. It never happened. Had it happened would I have been moved? Let's take it a step further...
What about the thousands that Jesus fed with 5 loaves and 2 fish? What about the countless amounts of people that witnessed His other miracles? We spend a lot of time praying for miracles and proof, yet when we receive them we are still hesitant to believe, and turn away when there isn't any more "food". My nature to say, "No way!" or find a rational explanation disgusts me and I want to encourage others to move away from this thought process. I think that we spend so much time praying for these things to happen and then do not give Him the Credit and glory he deserves when they happen. It may not be something so abrupt as water to wine, or a dog showing up at your door as soon as you ask for it but we encounter these miracles every day. Look at the splendor of our universe or simply our existence.
I hope this post served as some entertainment and that somebody understands what I am trying to address. Here's a hint: He's been performing "miracles" all along and we think we're important enough to deserve a "special sign". Let's shut up and praise Him for the miracles we see everyday!
I am writing because I had a rather odd experience tonight and thought it presented an opportunity to learn about myself and the nature of our doubts. I read the forums a lot for edification purposes and just to know I am not the only person that has doubts, troubles, and confusion. I notice a lot of people (including myself) ask, ask, ask, and ask God for certain things. Maybe not "miracles" so to speak, but possibly the answers to questions and in some cases miracles. To the point... I wanted to talk about disbelief and whether we are actually capable of accepting God's amazing works when they slap us in the face. Maybe this story will provide a good example:
I went to my car tonight to get my study Bible, on my way out my dog slipped out the front door with me and relieved himself. I wasn't thinking too hard about it, better on the flowers than on the carpet right? Well he took off through the neighborhood. I wasn't too upset about it as he does this regularly but I called for him because I wanted to get him in the house and go to bed. Besides, he has came back every time he has done this. I tried for about 5-10 minutes to call him back with no luck.
I decided to just turn on the porch light and study my Bible until he got back. I am really tired, so I thought I would just prop the door so that the tongue didn't actually engage with the door frame. This way he could easily push it open and wake me up in case I fell asleep. (I know I'm so clever...NOT! I would have probably stayed asleep and let bugs rush in all night!)
I thought this was a pretty good idea. Well I became anxious about it and really wanted him to get back to the house just so I could sleep easy. I started to pray. I thanked God for a great worship service tonight and everything that he has done for me. I am trying to get away from begging God for miracles that are going to remove the consequences of my past sin and focusing more on the great things He has done for me instead of the things I have screwed up and feel condemnation for. It's much more enjoyable.
I talk to God like a friend from time to time. I remember in my prayer, after praising His works, making a small request. I'm paraphrasing but here it is, "Lord, if you would, just touch that little monster(my dog) and bring him back to the door. That is if you work on animals... I know you can and can see it happening but I know this is a rather insignificant matter. I just want to go to sleep." It was something along those lines.
I opened my eyes to just check as soon as I finished that statement-no Amen just to see if I could pray for a "sign" or whatever. My dog was staring at me through the door as soon as I opened them. He wasn't making a noise, pawing at the door, or anything... just looking at me. LITERALLY "BROUGHT TO THE DOOR." He will normally scratch at it because he's thirsty or hot, but he was just staring at me.
I know that was long winded but I wanted to provide a detailed narrative. I was dumbfounded, which brings me to my point. A lot of us have a tendency to ask for miracles or signs, but are we ready to accept them? I found myself trying to find a rational explanation. Well he was probably coming back anyway, coincidental timing, things like that. I wasn't even prepared to give glory to God for it. I caught myself and praised Him, but have to be honest I am still dumbfounded and trying to understand.
In my youth I remember praying and asking God to "move my ceiling fan" as I was staring at my ceiling thinking and asking for a sign to prove His existence. It never happened. Had it happened would I have been moved? Let's take it a step further...
What about the thousands that Jesus fed with 5 loaves and 2 fish? What about the countless amounts of people that witnessed His other miracles? We spend a lot of time praying for miracles and proof, yet when we receive them we are still hesitant to believe, and turn away when there isn't any more "food". My nature to say, "No way!" or find a rational explanation disgusts me and I want to encourage others to move away from this thought process. I think that we spend so much time praying for these things to happen and then do not give Him the Credit and glory he deserves when they happen. It may not be something so abrupt as water to wine, or a dog showing up at your door as soon as you ask for it but we encounter these miracles every day. Look at the splendor of our universe or simply our existence.
I hope this post served as some entertainment and that somebody understands what I am trying to address. Here's a hint: He's been performing "miracles" all along and we think we're important enough to deserve a "special sign". Let's shut up and praise Him for the miracles we see everyday!
