Monday, December 10, 2007

Ponderings from a forwarded email...

I just read this great email called, "God's Busy". I have added it with my thoughts afterward...Read on:

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq andAfghanistan. One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU.
One day the professor shocked the class when he came in He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform, I'll give you exactly 15 minutes." The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, "Here I am God, I'm still waiting." It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence.
The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What the heck is the matter with you?" "Why did you do that?"
The Marine calmly replied, "God was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot, So, He sent me."

First off, how totally cool is that? I hope it is true. I think sometimes people need God to knock them out. I know I need to be reminded on occasion. (I am glad He hasn't hit me yet...) On the other hand, how many times has God sent you to take care of His business and you were too busy taking care of your own? I believe as a culture in todays times, we are way too busy. We keep our schedules cluttered. We keep our minds filled with what we saw on TV last night, what we have to do next or who did what to who last night. We keep our childrens lives filled with music practice, softball practice, gymnastics, computer games, television, you name it. What happened to slowing down and taking a moment to listen to what God has to say. Yesterday at church, Blake (our youth pastor) preached on this very subject. He talked about how we need to take time for God. Even God knew when to rest after a busy week. (See the Creation story in the first book of the Bible) He spent a whole day resting. We always talk the big talk, about how we are going to start doing it, but I challenge you to follow through and walk the big walk. I bet if we started slowing down and resting, we would be a lot more open to God's will for our lives. Maybe he has someone we need to knock out for him, but we can't hear him because we are so busy. Maybe He has something for our kids to help Him with, but we have them so busy, they can't hear Him either??? The question is, will they figure it out before they go deaf? Let's stop and get our boxing gloves ready and see what happens next!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yesterday sure spoke to me!! I for sure need to find some time on a regular basis to spend time with just me and God!!

Anonymous said...

I am up at 1am and I wish I could tell you it was to spend time with God, but it's not. It's to spend time with me.

This post was just in time for me. We think we are slowing down when all is silent, or when we get a chance to watch our favorite tv shows, but the truth is that by watching tv, movies etc. we are just continuing the assault on our senses, making us oblivious to the damage being done to us individually, collectively, and to our relationship with the only One that has the ability to slow us down.

Anonymous said...

Wow! You of all people know what life has been like for me and to hear you put it that way really helps! Here lately I've done nothing by rest in God and I'm blossoming with his blessings! Thanks for beening such an awesome friend and sister! Your words are right on! God has blessed you in so many ways! I know cause I see it! Love and Hugs!

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