I’ve already lived longer than my Dad, his two brothers, and several other relatives and friends I’ve known. But I don’t believe I would’ve lived this long if it wasn’t for a loving wife and God’s mercy on me. I don’t want to imagine the hopelessness and depression I’d probably feel if I didn’t have my Creator to lean on, trust in, and talk to. Even if I lived to be 100, I’d still know that there’s an end.
And that’s a dark hopelessness and depression I want no part of.
Have you ever thought about why you’ve lived as long as you have? Well, I have. And I know life’s not an accident. Or a set of random processes. Yes, you and I were put here on purpose. But how did it happen? And why? And does it even matter? Should you even care or try to figure it out?
Well, you and I do things we shouldn’t do. If I decided to make a list of the those things, I’d have to dedicate every article I write and every podcast episode I record to those things. And I still wouldn’t have enough time.
But here’s the ultimate cool thing that trumps all those other things on the “bad” list: God’s mercy. He is able and willing to wipe my bad slate clean, and all I gotta do is humble myself, ask Him to, and trust that He will. And knowing that keeps hopelessness and depression from having any control over me.
God doesn’t make you and me do the bad things we do. Even though we’re here on purpose, we’re not robots. And God hasn’t planned our lives for us. He doesn’t work that way.. And most televangelists and churches tend to give the impression, to the world, that He does. But here’s what God does for you…
- He gives you a brain and a soul.
- And He wants to see what you’ll do with them.
- You have freedom to love God.
- And He even allows you to hate Him.
All that because God knows that true love must be freely given. Not coerced, cajoled, or colluded.
God’s mercy on you and me gives us more time to make a difference.
My mission, in this life, is to use rhyme and reason to share the faith, hope, and love available to anyone who wants it. Anyone who’ll ask for it.
Since I didn’t receive what I actually deserve a long time ago, I’ve been able to grow and learn more about my Creator. That gave me much more knowledge and wisdom to share with anyone and everyone who’ll listen or read. And that word, anyone, is important. Because it’s both plural and singular. Any is synonymous with all. So, you’re one of the any.
You’ll find the spirit of that word in one of the most famous Bible verses. John 3:16. Click that link and read it.
I’ll share this song, lyrics below, about God’s love and mercy in the Rhyme and Reason Podcast .
And, one more time, I avoid hopelessness and depression when I remember God didn’t give me…
Give Me What I Deserve
You gave me life…
Gave me love, and gave me freedom.
You took my sins…
And You nailed “˜em, and You beat “˜em…
“˜Cause this person who you bought never had the nerve.
So I’m glad that you did not…
Give me what I deserve.
You gave me hope,
Gave me bread and living water.
You gave your blood…
When I led you to the slaughter.
But you never even fought or let your focus swerve.
And I’m glad that you did not…
Give me what I deserve.
Lord, don’t give me…what I deserve.
If I stand in the middle of the road,
Nudge me to Your side.
Lord, don’t give me…what I deserve…
“˜Cause I’m the reason and the cause
Why Jesus died…But then He rose again!
You gave me joy…
Gave Your word you’d leave me never.
You gave Your life so that I could live forever.
And on this earthly azure dot I can choose to serve.
So I’m glad that you did not…
Give me what I deserve.
© Copyright Tony Funderburk 2010
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