It has been awhile since I last posted anything. I guess that's okay because I don't know if anyone even reads what I post. Anyway, I had a strong impression today that I decided to write about. Recently I have been greatly disturbed by stories of abuse, government tyranny, and human trafficking. I can't imagine the helplessness felt by anyone whose life is controlled by someone more powerful; when you no longer have much in the way of choices. I can't understand how anyone can live with themselves when their major concern is a power trip. My heart goes out to those under the smothering thumb of anyone who delights in creating fear in other human beings. In addition, I am deeply grateful to have born in the United States of America, a country established on the concept of a God-given right to freedom to make choices. I am also deeply grateful for the understanding that God truly has given us each the right to make our own choices-even when those choices are sometimes not good. He loves us enough to allow us to choose for ourselves even when we often make a huge mess of things. We need the experience of seeing ugliness to appreciate beauty and tasting bitter to know sweet and feeling pain to know comfort.
Ultimately, the goal of all this freedom is to appreciate control.......... SELF-control. Laws are an effort to prevent injury. Rules are a guide to make better decisions. (This does not include laws or rules imposed by tyrants. I'm talking about laws made by the majority or by a perfect being who loves us.) As we better appreciate that learning to control impulses is a positive thing, we can relax and take the time to feel peace. As we more carefully ponder the end-result of choices, we can feel more confident about which way to go. The end result is a world full of people who are kind, thoughtful, considerate, forgiving, loving, and helpful- like Jesus.
