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February 19, 2006
A Divine Smack Upside the Head
Sometimes the Lord, in His infinite mercy sees fit to smite us.
James 1:5
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.
I can't begin to say how the truth of this verse has begun to dawn on me after years of being Catholic. The truth is something that it takes a great deal of wisdom to discern. I lack it all over the place. I have so little wisdom, so little capacity to discern for myself. I like to think of myself as exalted and lifted high in the realm of intellect. But I am not. In the realm of thinkers I have an exceedingly small mind, a brain incapable of much in the way of original thought. Wisdom is very far from me and yet still I deny it.
How the stubborn self fights that reality thrashing out now this way, now that way. I write in part as a way of denying that I am nothing special. Graciously enough that very writing has brought home the magnitude of this reality. I write to show how wonderful I am, and in writing, I discover how small I am.
But God does not smite merely to leave us reeling. Indeed, it's rather like the hysterical person in previous times--one good smack upside the head to get my attention, a short point following, and then the embrace of Love. When He shows me these things, I am then the most certain that He loves me because He tells me all of these things not to destroy me, but to bring me home. Unlike the majority of people, God does not fear telling us the truth, He relishes it--not because it is hurtful or difficult, but because it gives us the chance to grow toward Him.
So, smite away Lord, so long as you are there to pick me up, I will know your love. It can be hard to face, but when I look at you I face eternity, not the mirror, and what a glorious sight it is. Thank you!
Posted by Steven Riddle at February 19, 2006 8:49 PM
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Comments
This is a BIG scripture for Mormons. This is the Scripture that inspired Josesph Smith to pray in the Sacred Grove and ask for guidance as to what church to join.
It's a shame that such a beautiful scripture will always have a negative connotation for me.
Posted by: Cynthia at February 20, 2006 1:32 PM