Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God.
It is He who has made us and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 100, NKJV
We are living in a time and culture where truth is often treated as relative--relative to time and culture and individual and circumstance. Many people believe that the only absolute truth is that there is no absolute truth. Every person can be a god or goddess unto themselves, making up their own truth as they go along, and changing their truth to fit current trends. And they don't want anyone else imposing any kind of truth on them, because what's true for you may not be true for me.
However, I always have to laugh at those who say truth is relative. Because there are certain things they still consider to be universally true. For instance, they may say that there is no absolute truth, but take a gun and shoot somebody with it, and they will be among almost all humans saying that murder is always absolutely wrong. Unless circumstances dictate that it is acceptable. Such as abortion or euthanasia. Then murder is okay. But capital punishment is definitely wrong. Self defense is questionable. Killing cows and chickens for food is horrific. War is bad.
No one is going to stand up for the murderer and say it was okay, even if that murderer insists that in his version of truth, killing people is okay. Even among those who say truth is relative, they want to pick and choose which truths are relative when.
It's situational ethics. What's wrong right now might not be wrong in the right circumstances. Lying for instance. Lying to spare someone's feelings is okay, some say. Even casual deception is acceptable. Unless you're the one being lied to. Then you declare that you shouldn't have been lied to; that you want the truth, even if you can't handle the truth!
I have to tell you, I'm a smart man, but I am no where near smart enough to determine my own truth. I much prefer submitting to an infinite God who has written me a very long note called The Bible, which is the only absolute truth I need. I get it in it and I find out everything I need to know about being in relationship with God and living my life the way He intended for me to live it. And there is not one rule or commandment or absolute truth that does me any damage. This is one truth that has been written down completely for my good.
Today I'm thankful for some little things.
I'm thankful that Luther is making a place to keep my tools; and also that he can teach me how to use them.
I'm thankful that tomorrow is signing day...that the house which has been my home for the last 5 years is finally no longer mine.
And I'm thankful for the small prayers that still get answered. I needed to find two sets of keys...in an apartment that is stacked and packed with boxes and other moving debris. When I prayed, I had a picture in my head about where one set was; if I had gone right to it to begin with I could have saved myself a couple hours of looking through boxes. On the other hand, I got some boxes unpacked and my office rearranged so that I can at least get in it and continue the unpacking. The other key I was sure I had lost, but was prepared to spend the whole night looking for it. Then an idea hit me, and I went right to the exact place where I found my impossible to find key. Thank you Jesus that you care, even about the little things. That's why I'm trusting you with the big things too.
No comments:
Post a Comment