Monthly Thought

August 2007

I came across this book called "An Incomplete Guide to the Rest of your Life", by an American bloke called Stan Gaede. (Used to belong to my brother - turns out that he didn't really get on that well with this book, which means I guess I can keep it indefinitely. Of course, the book will always 'officially' be his. )

This book certainly made me think. Gaede addresses the usual sorts of questions, like "Why do good things happen to bad people?" and "What is God's Will for my life?" But the difference is, Gaede doesn't really provide an answer, more like you'll end up changing the way you were thinking about the question.

The chapter that really got me thinking was about God's Will for our lives. I'm sure you know the sorts of questions, like:

• How do you know whether you are on The Right Path?
• How do you find The Right Path?
• How do you make The Right Decision?

My initial tactic was to pray about it and then go for it and if it doesn't work out then it's obviously Not Meant To Be. This obviously doesn't help with multiple choice situations, like choosing Job A or Job B, but wasn't a bad start.

Then I met someone who pointed out that actually, maybe God doesn't really mind about some decisions, in the grand scheme of things. He can use you wherever you end up at Uni, or in whichever job. As long as you don't do anything biblically wrong, or obviously foolish, then you're good to go.

And now I read this chapter of this book by this American dude who says God's will is for you to follow his law and guidelines as set down in the Bible. It's the little choices that count, like choosing to love your neighbour, to turn the other cheek, to stay holy and honourable. God cares for you so much, that if you make decisions in good faith, you've got to trust that he will not abandon you. Or leave you. Or smite you. Trust that he'll will walk with you and remain with you always.

In Micah 6:8, the Israelites are asking "What should we do...?" The response:

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

This is just one humble, imperfect person's thoughts so far. A person who is content not to know the answers to some of the questions but accept that God has it under control. You might have different thoughts. But if you feel like having a good think or a chat, then the book, and maybe this ramble, is not a bad place to start.