My apologies for the alleged false advertising the other day.
When I typed the words "As of Late," my mind was thinking of the long and dreary list of to-do's that was scrolling before my drooping eyelids.
You were thinking photo overload.
A failure of communication on my part, to be sure.
I shall oblige you.
Soon.
Very soon.
But, I have a thought I have to vet here, first.
Sometimes, when there is an issue of humanity, faith or the like, that I haven't quite come to terms with in my own mind, I like to to read viewpoints of all kinds, to give me perspective from all facets of the spectrum.
My only qualifier is that it these viewpoints must be from individuals who are honest truth seekers. I find internet bashing for the sake of bashing to be extremely distasteful, unfortunate, and, frankly, a waste of time. However, I do appreciate a thoughtful presentation for consideration of one's own viewpoints.
Over the years, as I have had many conversations and read many one-sided discussions about various challenges of others' faith, there seems to be a common occurrence in most experiences: The moment a person gives up their "fight" to reconcile their faith with how they perceive reality, they mention that they have never felt more peace, and have never been happier.
This is concerning to me on a lot of levels, because I personally believe that as far as faith is concerned, the fight doesn't truly end in this life. I believe that IS the purpose of this life. Someone who surrenders early on cuts themselves short in so, so many ways.
However, as I have tried to reconcile the idea that these people feel so much peace and happiness when they forsake their faith, I have come to two conclusions that I present here for the consideration of all who may pass by:
1. Inasmuch as I believe that faith is an ongoing fight, I believe that there will always be opposition in that fight. That's what makes a fight a fight, right? (Don't fret, I'm not getting Dr. Seuss-y on you here.) So, once we surrender, it would make sense that the opposition we feel would cease to a degree, would it not? There would be no need for those forces which oppose our faith to fight for our vote any longer. Hence a feeling of "peace." No?
2. I also believe in a God who (despite the fact that we may, at varying points in our lives, somehow give up on Him) never ceases to strive for our happiness. Our happiness and progress is the sole purpose of His existence as our God. To foresake us would go against the very nature of his Divinity and Godhood. So if, in our struggling efforts to keep our heads above the choppy waters of mortality, we refuse to pull ourselves into the life boat that will take us from the tempest to the shore, He throws us a life preserver. While we deny ourselves a fulness of truth, happiness and joy, He utilizes whatever good exists in the choices we make to bring us at least a portion of the happiness He has to offer us. And, in His goodness, He lets us revel in that partial happiness.
It is an eternal truth that God will never force a man or a woman to choose how He thinks they should choose. But, He will give them every chance for happiness in this life. And so, in those moments when those who foresake their faith and shake their fists at heaven and say "See! I'm happier without you in my life!" what they do not see is that because of God, they can experience happiness at all.
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Tomorrow, pictures.
I hope.
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