So my son, JE the 6th, has been posting some thoughts and I thought this might be worth a gander for everyone.
My Joy and My Burden
I would like to start off this note by asking ourselves do we really believe what we say we do? Do we believe in God? Do we actually believe in heaven and hell? This is a tough subject to deal with. What do we actually believe.
When I think about what I believe it brings me great joy! For I know I shall once again be reunited with my Creator, and when does man experience the most pleasure? I can imagine all the different answers I am getting. When he is eating dinner some might say. Some will say when travelling the world. There are dozens of different answers you may give, but when you are doing what you know you are made to do and discover your purpose is not that the greatest pleasure? What is man’s ultimate purpose? Is it not to bring God glory, and to live in relationship with Him? I look forward to this joy with great anticipation. Why then are we so focussed on the vain things this world offers us and why are we so easily distracted from that which we are meant to do wholeheartidly? I am not saying money does not matter, nor am I suggesting that finding a helpmate is useless, nor am I saying watching TV is bad but we must put evrything in its proper place. I will ask again do we really believe as we say we do?
Also, thinking about what I believe brings be great sorrow, and I even sometimes get down when I see the world in the shape I see it. So I will share this with you as well. I will begin by asking what is more disturbing to you, seeing a friend fall away from the faith, or seeing a world where so many have never heard of christianity? This said in either case why do we not do more as believers? Do we really believe what we say we do? So why does the church as a whole ecspecially in the past couple generation do such a poor job if we believe both heaven and hell, and do you not think that more christians would be depressed if they see the great need. It is a huge burden I feel the ENTIRE church is called to, but only FEW of us bear it this should not be. Population is growing, and the church is losing ground. There are definitely some denominations growing, however not necessarily as quickly as the population is increasing.
What do we believe? Why do we believe it? Do we truly believe it?
In closing I would like to state I have joy because I know what lay ahead for me. But I have more sorrow than some because I see the world in desperate need. I want to take this time just to be an advocate. When you see that homeless child, widowed woman, or handicapped man remember the joy you have looking ahead and be the best example of Christ you can whether it is in deed, and if the opportunity is there in word as well.
Reinventing the We'll 