The Billiard Lesson...
I was just playing pool at home and God showed me how twisted we has humans can be when we try to do things based on the way we think and around the box that we've created for Him.
This may get a little too deep for some, while others will understand without even having to read it a second time. Yet other may simply not get it. Don't worry either way. This is simply something to think about I guess.
Anyway, I was shooting pool... attempting to clear a rack ( I was failing miserably ), and then I was thinking... there are a lot of people who would make a lot of bold claims about God and His existence (which is usually good thing), but base it on something other than His Word. One way came to mind using the pool table. One that I would have said, most likely as a joke, had there actually been someone else in the room.
Nevertheless, I could have said, "If I make this shot then that'll prove that God exists!" This, at least in this particular case, could be true... it was a difficult shot, but whether or not I make the shot doesn't prove or disprove anything about God. It simply shows who's turn it is next.
Now what if someone heard that, took it at face value, believed it, and then based their life on it? Is that a very wise decision? I think not. Especially in this case... our pool table isn't perfectly flat. It's a great table, don't get me wrong, it's just not flawless. The balls have a tendency to ride the rail. With that said... would it have been wise for me to make that bold claim knowing that the table isn't flat? I definitely think not.
Now what is the table was flat? Could I then make that claim? Yes, I could. Would it be wise? Yes ...at least more so in human eyes. Would it be wisdom from God? No. Because by making that claim, I am putting conditions on God telling Him, in some way, that His proof of existence and this other person's eternity, hinges on whether or not I make the shot.
Now this shot, by the way, was a real shot. It was the 2 ball in the corner pocket, and it wasn't all that easy. So what happened when I shot? I missed.
Why did I miss? Well there are a couple of factors that come into play:
1) When I made the claim, and thus put conditions on God, I factored Him out of the equation. By doing that I was on my own with the shot. That's problem number 1. I'm not that good.
2) When I shot, the table top played a role as well. Remember I said that the table wasn't flat? Well, it showed in the shot. The cue ball suddenly changed direction just as it neared the 2 ball. Problem number 2... my foundation (table top) was faulty.
So what the point?
There are a couple of points actually.
1) Don't test God! We, as believers, don't have to prove or disprove God's existence. He's in charge of that. Besides, it's a matter of faith. Believing in God is a matter of faith. Hebrews 11:3 says, "By faith we believe that the universe was created by the word of God...". Thankfully for us believers, we have a whole lot more to stand on than just that one verse. Not believing in God is also a matter of faith. The problem here is that the standards, by which a person that chooses to reject God uses, are man made, and not God inspired. Anyway, there is a lot more to that topic, but the point in this point is that it's a matter of faith.
2) Make sure your foundation is solid! We should all have a solid foundation of Jesus Christ. This is related and yet unrelated to the pool table illustration. Related in the fact that we need to make sure we have a solid foundation so we will be able to give an answer in every season for the hope that we have in us. Unrelated in the fact that, just because we have a solid foundation does not mean we can test God and put conditions on Him. If we truly love Him the way we should, then we wouldn't want to put Him in that type of a situation in the first place!
Well I hope I haven't confused anybody that reads this. It was meant, I think, to get you to think about the conditions you put on God. Whether spoken or unspoken, we all do it. Maybe not everyday, but we all do it. You know I'm guilty of it... otherwise this post wouldn't have come to pass. I find it interesting that God will sometimes use our very own hands or mouth to convict us of our sin. Interesting isn't it? God is so great.
If you feel some conviction about the conditions you put on God, don't tell me.. tell God. Change your thinking, and put Him at the forefront of it. Have the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts, and not yourself. Don't test God. Make sure you have a solid foundation... read His Word. Hide His Word in your heart so that you may not sin against Him. And about all.. have a wonderful night and God Bless!
"You shall not tempt the Lord your God." -- Deuteronomy 6:16
"...bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." -- 2 Corinthians 10:5
Paul, For some reason all of your object lessons always seem to I dunno just amaze me. I guess because they make me realize just who God is,that he is the creator of EVERYTHING.. Do ever wonder if God made things a certian way just so we can later on down the road look at them and see God within them. We can so easily see God through his word, but I think sometimes we need it to come from something that he created, Like a Twig(big lesson there).