You Don’t Have to Be Like Someone Else

Have you ever thought that God sets goals? For instance, when He told Abraham that his descendants would be like the sand on the seashore, God was proclaiming an objective he was committed to reaching. That’s what goal-setting is: declaring a specific future objective and committing yourself to reach it.

Psalm 23 says that God provides in our times of want. But how do we contend with times of acute boredom, or worse, an emptiness of spirit?

As a psychotherapist for 35 years I’ve come to regard my work as not only emotionally stimulating and evocative, but also very deeply spiritual. This is a secular spirituality that doesn’t partake of any magic, otherworldly power or traditional religions. It derives instead from the mystical potential of being human.

Why do so many people choose to misuse and abuse the name of God and Jesus Christ? I find this so curious as to why so people deliberately blaspheme. If more leaders objected to this appalling language it would pressure upon the broadcasters to stop. This simply indicates the depths of sin in these men’s hearts. You never hear them say “O Allah!” I wonder why? The number of times the name of God or Jesus or heaven and hell is mentioned, I have wondered if they were having a Prayer Meeting and could we all participate.

Having visited Bethlehem on various occasions, I have checked out what can be checked and there are no irregularities or discrepancies. The prophets, who were raised up by God, saw this day coming, and Micah predicted that Bethlehem in Judea had been designated for the birth of the One Who would save and rescue men from their sins. Now, you must admit that is very difficult to arrange your place of birth!

If only society had done this it would not be crumbling away as it presently appears to be doing. What God plants He cares for, and if He does not plant something and if He does not initiate a work, then He is under no obligation to bless it. At this point in Jesus teaching, He took time to quote from the Psalms. Jesus paints a picture of builders looking at a stone. It is the very stone they need but it doesn’t quite fit into their plans, so they reject it, and yet it is a most important stone.

He was a rebellious child. At the age 21, he attained Buddhahood. He left his job as a Professor of Philosophy and devoted fully to the work or raising human consciousness. He spoke freely on death and sex which were taboos in India and the world. He was welcomed by the people of the whole whole world but not by their governments. He had the most challenging path ever chosen by a mystic. His doors were open for all and whoever wanted to follow him was welcomed by him. He invented some revolutionary meditation techniques for common man.

So, how do you deal with the upsets, tragedies and life’s vicissitudes – large and small – that rock, and have rocked, your life? How do you deal with those at work, at home, and in everyday life who you feel “wrong(ed)” you, treated you unfairly, or damaged your spirit? Do you seek revenge? Do you lash out? Are you an “eye for an eye” type, looking to gain your “pound of flesh?” Or are you forgiving, compassionate and understanding?

“Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.” People have often asked, “Where do these words come from? Whoever said such a peculiarly strange thing? What does it mean?” Would it surprise you to discover that these are the words of Jesus Christ when He was teaching His disciples about that day when He returns? Where will you be on the crucial climactic day?

A very special bond often exists between a grandson and his grandfather. As grandparents, we may go through life and not realize how profoundly we impact our grandchildren until one day a word is spoken and that which has been held captive in the heart is revealed. One such moment recently brought a proud smile to my husband’s face and wrapped his heart in the bonds of a very special love.

Jonahs’ life represents the many obstacles that life can bring. You might have experienced a set back, or feel like a failure but these things are temporary and God’s plans and purposes are not altered by our current situation. God has not forgotten you, he has not abandoned ship!

When thinking about how you create your reality, you want to include an exploration of your view of spirituality. Have you ever stopped to think, define, what Spirituality means to you? What does that word mean for you? I can’t tell you what it means for you. I can only know what it means for me.