What Ought to Be the Christian’s View of Ghandi?

What Ought to Be the Christian’s View of Ghandi?

Indispensable

GoldenGate bridge, an outstanding structure that attracts San Francisco visitors. I had the pleasure of visiting it, and it is amazing.

This great bridge stand on two bases, one is shown in the picture below. Without the bases, there is no bridge. Everyone runs to take photos on the bridge, to the bridge, but almost no single person takes photos with the basements, which is the most crucial and important part of the structure.

These bases are almost hidden underneath the great structure it holds. It faces the cold and violent waves of the ocean and carries the burden of the heavy weight of the bridge, and receives no appreciation from the customers. Yet, it receives the main attention of maintenance. If something serious is predicted, it is the first part to be protected.

Pivot, an alias of a person I recently came across, follows such path. He, at work, chose to be the specialist in "the dirty hidden work" that helps his colleagues to build their success. And he does so in such humility and love. What is the outcome? Does it pay back? The outcome is that his colleagues sometimes abuse him. They keep giving him more and more of the "dirty work". They keep growing and making noticed contribution, while no one notices him. Yet, he grew to be the indispensable man of the enterprise. No one can function without him, that on the recent economy crisis his job was 100% secured.

What does it take to be indispensable? A great deal, but not of success, rather: of humility. Abba John said, 'Who sold Joseph?' They replied saying, 'It was his brethren.' The old man said, 'No, it was his humility which sold him, because he could have said, ''I am their brother" and have objected, but, because he kept silence, he sold himself by his humility. It is also his humility which set him up as chief in Egypt.".

"Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4)

I am so tired...

"Because God loves you."

A typical answer to the question: why did God created me. But why did He place me on that earth? I love God and I want to walk in His way, but the world stumbles me. I am trying hard, but it is beyond my ability...

Well, because on earth, you pronounce His glory, and - more importantly - you taste His love. When you taste missing Him, you will appreciate being with Him, and your joy is splendid.

But that is so tiring, I am tired of falling and repeating falling. I am tired of my weakness. Why didn't He create me infallible?! Why is it so hard to live with Him? Why am I not created perfect? Wouldn't I better glorify Him if I was an angel? Sigh! I want to serve God from all my heart, but I have to work and have to worry about my plans, and worry about my beloved, and my church, and my country, and and... why are we on earth? Let it end so that we are released and be with God!

We are on earth, just temporarily. We should not worry about earthly matters. We need to fly into heavenly matters.

Then what? I should quit my job? I should not plan for the future? Should we all grow a beard and do nothing but praying? Isn't praying what we are supposed to do in heaven? So why do anything else? Why do I have all other responsibilities while on earth that I fall short for?

"Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." (3John 2).

Did you notice that you have been focusing on what you are doing now and what you are supposed to be doing, and what you would love to do. Then, you see all distractions and stumbling blocks that delays you.

This is exactly my problem, that there are many distractions and barriers towards perfection on this earth. And I can not let that desire to be perfect go, because this is how I can reach God.

This is exactly your problem. That *you* want to be perfect, so that *you* reach God. And unfortunately, there are many barriers that you can foresee that strikes *your* path.

...

Where is God in your picture? God's image is lost in that picture. God created you on His image, so you need to do everything like Him. But we can't, because we are weak. So what?

Do not quit your job, but work and labor for Him, in Him, with Him.

Do not stop planning for the future, but plan relying on Him, and stop worrying.

Do not stop being active, social, servant/minister, but do all with Him.

Bring Christ back to the picture, and you will not see *your* weak self, nor the tribulations.

Bring Christ back to your heart, and you will enjoy peace.

Do all what you want, and all what society and church may ask you to do, but do all in Christ.

Do all things, but please, don't lose your focus on Christ.

Why thanks?

Are we obligated to thank God? Like, if we forget to thank God, should we regret and be sorrowful?

At least, this is the impression one gets when listening to the sermons that mention thanksgiving.

Indeed one feels like blaming oneself when one forgets to thank a person who did me a favor. It is the minimum expression of gratitude. But is it the same with God?

It is true that if I did someone, even a friend, a favor (the fact that s/he is a friend only affects the size of the favor), and I was not appreciated by a word or gesture of thank gratitude, I will find it extremely hard to her/him a favor next time. Does God deal with us the same way? Is that why we are "compelled" to thank God?

Absolutely not.

When God saved the ten lepers, He saved the 10 even though only 1 of them, who was Samaritan, did come back to Him, glorifying God and thanking Him. We didn't hear that the other nine had a relapse. But God did sigh, and wondered: didn't the ten get healed?! Why no one came back to give God His glory except this stranger?

So clearly, God saved them because of their faith, that they believed in the word He said: go and show yourself to the priest. He did save them because He loves them, UNCONDITIONALLY. Period.

Then, why to thank God? And why did He sigh upon the no thanks?

Believe it or not, because He loves us.

Yes, to thank God, is yet another gift from God. When we thank God, our joy is completed and magnified when we thank God for something we celebrated. And when we thank God, our joy is sustained when we thank God for a goodness in His wisdom that we don't immediately see in the temporal tribulation. Thinks about it. The joy is magnified when we share it with someone. Whom we share it with, makes a difference. If you share it with someone who might envy you, you might regret it, but if you share it with your spouse, it is one of the best moments in life. And if you share it with God, it is blessed, doubled, confirmed and sacred.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving" (Phi 4:6)