In My Opinion
By L.N.P.

"MAYBE"

It could be that God is pleased that even as satan still reigns over this planet, tempting his children to do evil at every possible turn, that so many still manage to do good, to make the right choices, to love our neighbors. That is, after all, why he gave us free will; how else could he know our hearts and minds so well? And that capacity for extreme intelligence he bestowed upon human beings has resulted in the most astonishing discoveries and inventions. Many, it is true, can cause horrific damage and have been used in the ugly pursuit of violence and destruction. And yet, so many of his children have used these same things for helping others, for saving lives, for splendid deeds and noble causes. And, of course, he sees that too.

I hope that the medical and technological advances made by his children have made him proud. Even as we create problems for ourselves, we seem to find ways to solve them, without him always having to intervene. Yes, we pollute and contaminate, yet we also invent drugs and treatments to cure the diseases we cause. Some of us burn down his trees and strip bare his rainforests, but others dedicate themselves to protecting his precious resources. We rapidly consume those things God decided should not be replenished: his oil and fresh water, yet brilliant minds are even now working on ways to find substitutes that will one day solve this challenge he must have planned. We over-eat, abuse drugs and alcohol and put ourselves through so much stress that we suffer heart, liver and kidney disease, yet some of us have used our intelligence to discover medications, procedures, even organ transplants to repair the damage we bring upon ourselves. Some say we are "playing God," but I believe he gave us that gift of intelligence for a reason, so I doubt that he's displeased.

I'm sure that God always envisioned us flying. We'd have to; our world grew so much larger and he'd know we'd want to discover and reach out to it all. That's the adventurous spirit he gave us. And with his gift of human ingenuity, we came up with airplanes and jets and rockets to explore space. Of course, none of us knows the magnitude, the infinite universe yet to discover. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what he has prepared for those who love him, but we continue to push the boundaries, to persevere, and with that I hope he's pleased.

Yes, he must be grieved by the evil man has done with this invention-the spy planes and the fighter jets, the bombing missions and the senseless and devastating loss of lives that has occurred. Thousands killed; his heart must cry. But he also saw those whose courage and faith made them do selfless things in the face of certain death. Every hour he sees families and loved ones reunited because of flight. The sick that are healed by transporting them to the best hospitals, the humanitarian efforts made possible in all corners of the earth, the peace keepers, the healthcare workers, the home builders, the wisdom spreaders, the freedom lovers, and those who carry his message to all nations. Millions saved. And he knows, I'm sure, that this is good."

We've needed to find quicker, more far-reaching ways to communicate with each other as we've multiplied, and with each generation human beings have solved that problem too-with the printing press, telephone, radio, television, and now the internet. It undoubtedly saddens God to see the vile ways these brilliant technologies have been abused to spread obscenity, pornography, indeed, every evil and corrupt thing known to mankind. But still, in his infinite wisdom, he must realize that these same inventions have been used for so much good. They've made possible the reading of his Word in hundreds of languages. They've disseminated knowledge and information to those who might never have received it, and brought culture and art, music and literature, science and technology to people all around the globe. They've kept the world in touch with each other at times when this was crucial; they've brought smiles to the faces of children, encouragement to the despairing, inspiration to the oppressed. This, too, must be pleasing to him.

God has watched as the tremendous capacity he gave us for tolerance and compassion has been distorted by many into an undiscerning acceptance of everything, no matter how contrary to his teachings. I'd imagine he knows our intentions are often good, he can see that, but it must disappoint him that so many of us fail to remember his commands, just as we've done for thousands of years. As he watches us wander from the narrow road onto the wide road of moral relativism, he must be frustrated at how often he's needed to remind us that some things aren't relative; some things are absolute. Still, his body of believers is growing daily, and millions continue to persevere in keeping his commands, even in the face of ridicule and injustice. Although it may sadden him that we continue to face these struggles, some of us are convinced that this perseverance is what builds our character and gives us hope. He has, after all, informed us about this, and some have truly understood his promise. I hope this lightens his heart.

I would guess that what might trouble him most at this moment is how much of what has gone wrong in the world could have been avoided. In the flesh, he showed us how to love and serve others, yet too many of us love ourselves more. He showed us how to remain in communion with the spiritual, yet too many reach only for the material. He showed us mercy and forgiveness, yet too many bear grudges and are vengeful. He gave us the gift of grace, yet so many refuse to accept it.

And as the world's problems go on unabated perhaps he grieves, knowing that the one who was to discover the cure for cancer died in 1968. Maybe the gifted woman with the cure for AIDS, woven in her mother's womb in 1972, was killed that same year. Maybe, in 1983 or 1985 he created a man willing to use the riches he'd accumulate to feed millions of poor people around the world. Perhaps there was one who would have stopped the terrorists from bombing the World Trade Center, and another who would have had the ability to provide the world with a renewable source of energy. As God contemplates the list of the unborn, it must cause him deep mourning; he knew every hair on their heads and formed their inward parts, yet the world never got the chance to know them. Yes, he chose free will for his children, knowing from the beginning that not all would choose wisely. But how could it have worked any other way? How else would he have known who truly loved him?

Millions of books are published every year; God can see them in stores, on the internet, in schools, in people's homes. Yet, his Book outsells them all, has been translated into more languages than all of them, is read by more and more people every day. That must be pleasing to him, perhaps offsetting some of the cruelty and injustice he sees happening in the world. More and more seekers have knocked on His door and I know they've been welcomed with open arms. And, the majority of his children continue to have faith.

Of course, I have no idea what God truly thinks. I don't know the plans he has for me, or for the world. All I know is that whatever those plans are, they're just a tiny fragment of a bigger plan, known only to God. What I DO know is that in this world there will always be evil. Life on earth will always have its struggles. The wicked will often go unpunished and the good will go unnoticed. And ALL of us will fall short of perfection. For now. But everything God does will ultimately have a good outcome; that's always been part of his plan.

"So maybe, on this day in January 2005, just maybe, God is pleased."

Send me your opinions at LParis@netlistings.com