For What Are We Destined?

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 3:37 pm Post subject: For What Are We Destined?

For What Are We Destined?

Scripture:

Behold the days shall come, says the Lord, and I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Juda: Not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt: the covenant which they made void, and I had dominion over them, says the Lord. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord: I will give my law in their depths, and I will write it in their heart: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying: Know the Lord: for all shall know me from the least of them even to the greatest, says the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
(Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Who in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence. And whereas indeed he was the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered: And being consummated, he became, to all that obey him, the cause of eternal salvation.
(Hebrews 5:7-9)

Now there were certain Gentiles among them, who came up to adore on the festival day. These therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying: Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip comes, and tells Andrew. Again Andrew and Philip told Jesus. But Jesus answered them, saying: The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Amen, amen I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, itself remains alone. But if it die, it brings forth much fruit. He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world, keeps it unto life eternal.

If any man minister to me, let him follow me; and where I am, there also shall my minister be. If any man minister to me, him will my Father honor. Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this cause I came unto this hour. Father, glorify your name. A voice therefore came from heaven: I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The multitude therefore that stood and heard, said that it thundered. Others said: An angel spoke to him. Jesus answered, and said: This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Now is the judgment of the world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to myself. (Now this he said, signifying what death he should die.)
(John 12:20-33)

Reflection:

As we lead our lives, what person has not pondered the question of God? If we examine our hearts, there is a desire within us to know the One who created us. Some turn away, absolutely certain from what they believe they have observed and learned that our existence was not designed, but is a mere accident of time and material. We cannot adequately and truthfully explain how everything came from nothing, yet, we believe we can date the era from whence it came. As we argue over human supposition and speculation, some assume that from what little they know, they can explain our creation, and so they close the ears of their hearts; the place where their Creator desires to speak to them.

Others sense the presence of their Creator. They look at all which is about them and marvel at its design. The laws of existence which enable the components of life; so fragile, yet so durable; are wondrous, yet so much is beyond our observance and even more beyond our comprehension. We become elated when we believe we uncover a snippet of understanding, and yet, how many times have we discovered that what we discern as fact turns out to be incorrect. How is it, then, we can discern that which is true?

Some may endeavor to explain the animation of mineral and water, but that is a mere explanation of how we might exist, not the reason and purpose for which we exist. The more important pursuit is the comprehension of what is right and just for it enables the blessings of our lives. It is perhaps nice to know the mechanics of our existence, but the quality of who we are is not found in our mechanics, it is found in our understanding and desire of the blessings which we may share.

If we open our hearts to His commandments, we see a blueprint for living a life of civility, compassion, caring and charity; a life filled with the blessings of love. How is it we so often choose to spurn them? How is it we choose a path wedded to a life of coarseness, callousness, indifference, and greed; a life filled with selfish and destructive desire? How is it we turn against what love may bring and pursue the miseries of hate? How is it we are comfortable in our divisions and do not seek the unity which is possible through the Spirit of our Creator? We have seen what evil has done to generations past. The question is, will we follow their path or will we be the generation which allows ourselves to be led by His holy truth?

As He stood before Pontius Pilot, the only begotten Son of God explained, ?My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence.? (John 18:36) If we understand what this means, then, we may comprehend why our life here is so temporary. Our existence is not merely to exist only so we might cease, but so we might learn from this world and prepare ourselves for the eternity to come. All has been accomplished by our Creator so we might be cleansed of the darkness of this world so we may enter His kingdom of light and receive His eternal blessings; unless it is our choice to pursue the eternal miseries of the darkness.

How many have wondered why our bodies are programmed to die? If all is a matter of the accidents of chemical interactions, outside of intentional or accidental destruction, what determined that those interactions will come to an end? What turns off our ability to grow? What turns off our ability to heal? What finally causes our heart to stop and our brain waves to cease? How is it the elements which interact to animate life suddenly conspire to yield death? We may redirect this programming for a time, but no matter our endeavors, the time will come where we shall pass from this world. Some believe we shall pass to nothingness while others sense there is so much more to which we may be brought; another world, perhaps the kingdom of God.

There are many who wish to explain life through the interaction of mineral and water, but how is it that mineral and water produce the complexities of our consciousness? How is it mineral and water yield what is good and what is evil? How is it that mineral and water can discern love and hate? More importantly, how is it that mineral and water, even without our destructive efforts, simply ceases producing the miracle sustained within our bodies unless, the truth of who we are is destined to depart from this world for life in another?

The argument rages within the public square, but the answer is within us if we choose to find Him. If we give into the innate desire to know our Creator, we will open our heart to receive Him. We will not spurn His ways, but strive to comprehend them so we may enjoy their blessings. Let us, then, ask Him in prayer to lead our lives to that which He desires we discover. Let us ask Him to lead us in how we may prepare for the day He will ask us if we desire to enter into His kingdom. Let us ask Him to prepare us, so we may be forgiven of our sins and cleansed of our iniquities, so that our robes may be washed white in the blood of the lamb (Revelation 7:14), so we may walk with Him forever within His kingdom; where there is no pain or affliction, where love is shared by all and where evil is not allowed to follow.

Questions for further reflection:

How might we read, discern, and comprehend the law which God has placed within us and has written upon our hearts?

What do we learn from our suffering and how might we turn our learning to blessings?

In what ways are we drawn together by our innate desire to know our Creator?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier