In looking at books to review, I'm seeing a trend that bothers me. Seems that the generation that covers my oldest children---late twenties and into the thirties (my oldest is 29), is so success-oriented, maybe to a fault. Perhaps even more so than their parents. And in Christians it appears to be almost an obsession, just like in the secular world. Do this, this and this and your life will be complete. The thing is, they're not allowing for the human touch. I'm seeing a tendency to handle things in a technical way, much in the manner of managing a Smartphone. Push the right buttons and voila, you're good.
Life isn't that easily managed.
And God isn't that predictable. Quite the contrary.
I have a brother-in-law who used to say that if you tithe every week, then your money troubles will be a thing of the past. I'm here to tell you that's not the case. As I've said before---God is NOT a slot machine. You don't do this, this and this and expect what you want to happen. Sometimes it doesn't. And doing it over and changing the routine won't fix it. Only the Lord can do that. Act as if you have all the answers and He'll be sure to mix you up. Speaking from experience here. Cockiness has no place in the Christian experience.
I think God enjoys seeing a humble spirit. But even then, apply yourself to being humble and that in itself shows arrogance. Look at me....oh, no-no. Don't look at me. See what I mean? By not focusing in a deliberate manner, you look at yourself much too much.
It's frustrating to see all the energy being spent in advancement. Nobody has time for quiet. They're so busy getting ahead. Goals. So many goals. Burnout looms on the horizon. We've become such suckers for a fast fix, whether it's getting impatient waiting for packages to come in the mail, or being put on hold. Oh wait. There's a remedy for that. I can talk to a couple of folks at once, and text in the same instant. Nobody waits. But think again. Nobody gets anyone's full attention anymore.
Go to a public setting where folks sit. Restaurants are choice for this experiment. Watch how many are on their phones and not talking. You know what I mean. We can't wait for anything. Everything is more important than the life in front of us. So sad.
Just listen. Wait. Stop trying so hard. Quit trying to know everything. Allow for a little mystery. Please.
