Bumper Sticker “Wisdom”
No, you read it right the first time. I saw this bumper sticker on a car as I drove Eva to dance class tonight. I just couldn’t believe it! Somebody has got to help me find the humor here.
I understand that its message is probably “stop complaining.” Obviously, that’s a sentiment I support. But even so, I have so much trouble with saying that God would somehow “make” us live longer as punishment for complaining. Even if it’s meant in jest, it’s not funny to me at all.
This is probably due to my trouble with what I’ve come to think of as the “SimGod” theory. I believe that God is all-powerful and there’s nothing He can’t do. But I don’t believe that He is sitting around hitting little “Live” and “Die” buttons based on any kind of formula. I blogged previously about the tragedy that hit our community. There are some people saying that it was in “God’s plan” or “God’s will” that Michael and his sister be murdered by their (step)father. I just can’t buy into that. Yes, I believe that we should pray for those who are sick and hurting. I believe that we can focus God’s love with prayer, like a magnifying glass focusing rays of light. We can direct comfort and healing where it is needed with prayer. But I don’t believe that people live or die based on the amount of prayer they receive. Sahara Aldridge had thousands of people praying for her. Was it somehow “God’s plan” for her to die of cancer at such a young age?
After 9/11, my pastor used a phrase that has stuck with me. “God didn’t cause this, but He can use it.” That matches with my philosophy pretty well. Bad things happen. They aren’t caused, they just happen. How we choose to deal with it reflects our faith in God.
If our way of “dealing with it” is to complain, I certainly don’t think it will prolong our life. I know this was a roundabout journey from one stupid bumper sticker, but I guess that’s how my mind is working today.
What are your thoughts?
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About This Blog
In Thornton Wilder’s play Our Town, the central character dies an early death. Emily is given the chance to revisit a day of her life and is advised by those in the afterlife to pick an ordinary day, warning her that she might be overcome otherwise. Still, Emily is overwhelmed with emotion as she recognizes how wonderful the everyday details of her existence were. Her daily routine takes on new significance now that it is gone. Through her tears, she asks:
Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it– every, every minute?
With this blog, I am trying to fully “realize” my life by documenting the things that I love. I want to appreciate and examine my past and present, as well as plan actively for the future.
I hope to accentuate the positive in my life and in the world around me, with the hope that by focusing on the positive, I will draw more positive elements into my life. Or, at least, realize all of the blessings that I do have.
Bob, the author of this blog, is a 36 year old husband, father, son, teacher, Christian, and liberal.
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I hate to say this, but I sort of get it. I think it is another way of saying “only the good die young.” As most of my elderly patients are people who complain incessantly and yet stay in good health, I have to think there may be some dark truth in this…
I love the phrase from your pastor – it fits me too. The
great thing about your post is that the bumper sticker
made you think. It made you ask questions and wonder.
I love that.
I believe that God allows both good and bad in the world because how could one exist without the other? It’s like hot and cold. But like you, I don’t think he picks and chooses who lives and who dies – those decisions are made by human beings.
We can choose to have a positive impact on people or a negative one. At least that’s my 2 cents. Thanks for a lovely, eye-opening post.
Hi Bob, nice blog here.
I think the following quote from Joyce Meyer sounds better…
“How we act in the wilderness determines how long we’re gonna stay in the wilderness.”
I’ve posted about the attitude in the valley, where we have difficulty and challenges, not to complain but to be thankful as it’s opportunity for us to grow…
I shared it at
http://www.reason4smile.com/2007/11/13/in-the-valley/
Better late than never,
Merry Christmas to you!
Thanks for sharing
Robert
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