In the middle of strife we find the essence of God

In the middle of strife we find the essence of God 

It can become an awareness of a lifetime when we believe the teaching learned these many years is all truth until something evolves that may change our outlook.  Peace, tranquility, and everything positive should never erode within our efforts to reach the heights of success.  Yet, as chance may have it, all the inroads we followed suddenly begin to crumble.  The dream we thought was the direction we were destined to go after no longer held our attention..

This may be the ultimate turning point that goal seekers need to find, absorbing the attributes of positive assertions, and putting them into their place of understanding.

What is this turning point that was hidden from our knowledge?  It is God, who always stands beside us, especially in the existence we call chance.  Chance is not part of God’s retinue or manner of lifting each of us up from a misguided mindset where only profit at any expense is the only path to a future of wealth.  

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you.”  (Mt 6: 33).  Just one of many sayings Jesus left with his followers that become a stand of success.  

As maturing adults we hang on to the premise of getting a good education and pursue a professional existence.  With a good income you will be able to buy a nice house, own the car of your dreams, and send your children to the best schools  All of this sounds like the path I should follow, competing with the neighbors for the biggest and most luxurious house, and having my name on the lips of those I work with. 

Going back to Matthew 6 where Jesus also told the disciples the problem of seeking after monetary treasures in lieu of spiritual treasures.  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal,  But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroy, nor thieves break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”   (Mt. 6: 21).

It may appear that accumulating earthly possessions is wrong, but the reason why we gather money, and all that money can buy should be for positive purposes.  One of the negative results with those that have more than enough is the attraction to pile on more wealth in order to promote power.  However, not all wealthy persons are selfish with their money.  I have known wealthy people who gave away much of their fortunes so those with little could enjoy some of what they didn’t have.  

One important note God stressed continuously was the concern for the poor.  Scripture is filled with a great number of passages regarding the poor:  

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.”  (Lk 6: 20).

“You will always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”  (Jn 12: 8).

“He who oppresses the poor blasphemes his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy glorifies him.”  (Prv 14: 31).

“He who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his good deed.”  (Prv 19: 17).

“The afflicted and the needy are parched with thirst.  I the Lord, will answer them; I, the God of Israel will not forsake them.  (Is 41: 17).  

With all the possessions we acquire throughout life, we must keep an eye open for those who have little or nothing.  For when the final judgment confronts us it will be based on how often we extended a helping hand.

Any strife in life often rests on those who cannot do for themselves.  When we step in it is then that God’s urging us becomes his essence in our lives.  

Ralph B. Hathaway