Just last night I was watching a person, not a minister just a person talking in an arena to maybe 50,000 people. I changed the channel and there was another. When I turned it again I finally got a minister and he had quite a group as well. I though, all these people sitting their in awe listening for the magic answer to all their problems.
Now the standard line was give and yea shall receive. That is give of yourself, in time, talent and treasure. Well it amazes me how supposedly decent, good, people need someone to tell them that. It also amazes me that these people paid $20.00, $50.00 or even more a head to listen to that as if they didn't know it. They were there looking for an answer.
Yes, these people went on about being positive and practicing being positive and shut out the negative and of course give, even when you can't give, give something. Yes, they were all shaking their heads as if some great wisdom was flowing out that they had to implement and by doing such all their problems would vanish. Not right away mind you but they would vanish.
Well, like I said earlier, many of these people were going there looking for an answer, hope, a miracle or something to change their life situation. Yet the very sad part of it all is that they always had the power to change. It is called CHOICE.
You see we get what we got through choice. Most of it starts with want and need. I need that, I want this, etc. With that comes those who will show you the way to get what you want. Do you have a job, thats is all you need and what you need and want can be yours, just sign here and away you go. Oh, you want happiness, try this stuff it will make you feel great, for now!
Now that is not to say many are blessed or at least they think so. No matter where they go or what they do they step into it. They can be the worse of managers, bosses, leaders or workers but whatever it is that is good it goes to them. Now is God doing this, fate, coincidence, just having the gift of gab and being and artist or what? Who knows but they certainly don't need a lecture on how to. Yes, they got and God is great.
Well when all is good why wouldn't God be great to the believer? I think the real test is like what Mother Teresa went through. Her prayers never were answered. She just got more and more crosses to carry. What happens to believers when the road gets rocky? Oh, I know, you here it from those that have but don't have your cross, Oh God will bless you. Yes, and meanwhile they are saying to themselves I hope He never blesses me like that.
Now those who have can be seen in church regularly and they all get along. They go to the socials; they go to the breakfasts and the dinners and dances, yes they go to it all. Yes, they have the means and they have the time and everyone wants to be around them and seek their advice. They are solicited consistently to do this or that. After all they must be intelligent and have the answers because you see they have it all? Isn't that the test of intelligence and capability? It can't be dumb luck, or lets just be kind and say manuvering of some sort, can it?
Now I am not talking about those who by chocie worked hard and made a path for themselves. No I am talking about the types many of us know everyday in business, the church, in life. How they got where they are no one knows but they are there. Now that is what those people are all searching for and evidently God is the answer.
Well what about those who don't have? They can't afford that $5.00 contribution. I remember once at church one of the ushers came around for a collection. I did not give and he said, whats the matter can't afford $5.00; I'll put it in for you, sarcastically. So I said no I can't. I've been out of work for almost a year and $5.00 is a lot to me. I didn't need to say anything but I thought I would explain my circumstances. Silly me, it was better not saying anything. I guess embarrasement took over. He said, yea, sure and walked away. Now needless to say this person was a well respected person in the church. He had the bucks and assumed if you were at this particular church you also had the bucks. In fact that type of thinking permeated the church right up to the pulpit. Needless to say all the talk was just that, talk.
So to sum it all up here is what I am getting to. You and only you always have the choice in everything you do. You can forego that need unless it is something that is a major need, like food, clothing or shelter. You can forego that want, like that new car or electronic gadget. You can focus all your money on paying off your debts and canceling your credit and start saving to buy cash. You can sell if you have to. There are ways to get out from under and if you are at the end what are you talking about rust and moths.
Then you know something as you change your choices your attitude will change. Never having or never being able to give won't embarrass you any longer. You will never be embarrassed by people who are ignorant and think that they are truly blessed while they don't know your situation. You will never have to say God is great because you will know He always was and is and not because you got it and someone else doesn't.
Yes, I wonder just how many who profess and brag and praise the Lord would do the same wearing someone elses shoes? Oh, I know your one who God helped change around. Well I got news for you God did. He gave you the choices and you finally woke up to what He always wanted you to do. That is what changed you and yes, God is great. He has always given you choices but you just didn't bother to ask Him if it was the right one.
So, while those speakers are all "great" they to undergo divorce, scandal, greed and everything else we all do and no they do not have all the answers just a good speaking voice. Yes, we are all sinners. So start with yourself and no one else. Clean up your act, change your wants and needs and you will change. It is as simple as that! After all your're the one going to answer for your actions, not they.
So you see it all boils down to choice. Now I can say God blessed me for having that contract because I can't say He blessed me for that AC failing, unless he just knew it would fail after that maintenance expired and he was taking care of it now? I could say He blessed me if it never failed but you know something any car new or old and something always fails. Now it was my choice to buy that car and my choice to buy that service agreement so just perhaps, He did bless me by putting the desire into my mind or just maybe it was common sense, logical, caution, or some kind of gut feeling? Bad choice / good choice in the end. I'll leave it with all of you to consider which one is most likely.
Robert Melaccio, Sr. Copyright 2007 Robert Melaccio Sr.
