young, dumb and full of... grandiose plans that probably won't ever pan out...

how does that phrase go?  young, dumb and full of... grandiose plans that probably won't ever pan out...

i lived in Milwaukee when i was 2 or 3, and one day decided that i wanted to see my dad who worked at a pet store.  So i walked over to my mom, put my hands on my hips, set my jaw, and said "i'm going to the store to see dad."  She looked down at me and said "well, mom is busy right now."  I said "that's okay, i'm going to go by myself.  i'll just ride my bike."

 

i can imagine the reaction my mom had; she probably broke out in laughter.  Here is a kid, standing shin high, telling his mom that he is going to ride his tricycle the 1/2 mile to his dad's store.  He doesn't know the direction, realize the hazards that innercity milwaukee brings, nor how to defend himself.  Yup, she probably keeled over in a fit of hysteria.  How can you react anyother way to a boy that is so naive? 

 

I was telling my pastor that the previous story highlights my walk with God, because i spend a lot of time trying to help God through creating plans and trying to do things my own way.  God is probably sitting on His thrown listening to my thoughts, and laughing out loud.  "Josh is going to help ME complete MY tasks???  That kid is going to be in a hospital bed in three years, recovering from his stress induced heart attack"

 

For some reason, i feel that i need to work hard to complete the tasks that God is planning, but God isn't concerned whether i help Him or not.  He built the universe, and can surely accomplish His task.   The thing i need to remember is that He cares about my integrity as a man.  My character and my relationship with Him.  He wants me to grow in a relationship, and refrain from sinning because i realize that it hurts that relationship.  He wants me to have the desire to donate my time and money, because i realize that He is the only one that loves me enough to completely sacrifice Himself for me, and i want to show my appreciation.  I want to share my blessings with others who are hurting.  When He does great things for me, and i turn around and fight Him and His protection, wouldn't that seem unfair/unjust/unethical?  Why would i want to continue harboring these selfish feelins and insults?  

Now you might think, "oh this is just another idea for the religious people," but it's not.  It doesn't matter if you are christian islam, jew, athiest, etc; people should strive to create a better world for their neighbor, because no one can play our part for us: we are all gifted with unique talents.  We are all given things in life that we can share with others who need it to survive.  Whether it's donating to the poor, joining big brothers/sisters, showing kindness/love to anyone you meet, etc.  I mean think about it; i am a white middle class american, which means that my life is better than 90+% of the world.  30k people starve to death everyday!   That means 200 people in the world just starved to death while you read this.  We have to play a part, we have to share, we have to work, we have to do something...IT'S IMPERATIVE!!!  

My point is not that we have to sit on our haunches and do nothing, nor is it that we have to spend every moment of our life working.  No, my point is that there is a fine line between playing your role, and racing to solve all the world's problems on your own.  You will burn out if you try to do it all yourself.  No one is self sufficient enough to solve their own problems, let alone the world's problems.  But what i lack in attention to the details, you might be able to assist me with.  What you lack in imagination, i might be able to assist you with.  It's about realizing your weaknesses, developing character and integrity, and then making that choice of whether you are on board or not.