IF
GOD IS A CRUTCH ~
Let
me have two
by
Pastor Max Solbrekken
Are
religious experiences only for weak-minded people? Is
religion, reading the Bible and praying really a waste
of time? And is God only a convenient crutch for
failures and religious fanatics?
Some
people refer to religion s
or
devout Christians as "dupes" who have been
brain-washed by the church or "hood-winked by
preachers". Others feel it is a sign of weakness
to be religious and express one's faith in Jesus Christ and
trust in God. They call the Christian experience
"a crutch".
RELIGION
- A PRIVATE MATTER
Still
others say, "My religion is a private matter - I don't
discuss my religion
or faith
publicly." Which reminds me of an ancient legend
told among the American Cheyenne Indians, who lived in an
isolated village of the edge of a forest. It was
routine practice for the adults to sneak out of the village,
one by one, and follow a path through the forest to a little
silvery stream.
Making
sure that no one was watching, they would walk over the
stream on a little log, made smooth by many moccasins, peer
into the water at their own reflection, and begin to talk to
the stream, pouring out their innermost feelings.
Doing this made them feel good!
Although
all the adults made the secret pilgrimage regularly, no one
told anyone about it. However everyone knew that they
all did it.
One
day, two children from the village found the pathway and the
little stream. Walking out on the log, they saw their
reflection on the water and found themselves talking to the
stream, and it made them feel very good also.
Full
of joy at this new experience, they rushed back to the
village to tell the adults what had happened. But the
adults were offended and felt threatened. They picked
up stones and chased the children out of the village.
The
moral of the legend, according to the Cheyenne, is that
everyone needs to talk to someone .... but since it is a
sign of weakness to tell someone your innermost feelings,
you dare not let anyone know.
We
were created with a desire to talk and relate to others our
deep hurts, desires and problems - but with whom can we
discuss them?
One
fellow human beings are as weak as we, with as many hang-ups
and troubles as ourselves. In the Indian legend, the
Cheyenne saw their reflection moving in the water and
thought it was a supernatural being - and poured out their
heart in a form of prayer. But because they were a
very proud tribe, they wouldn't admit it publicly, much like
us today.
WE
PRAY TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER!
We do
not pray to the water, sun, moon or stones - but to the
living God, who made us and all those objects. And
praise be to our Heavenly Father, who hears and answers our
prayers when we approach Him in the name of His son, Jesus
Christ.
Recently
a survey was done across the U.S.A. to ascertain who people
turn to, when in a crisis. Not surprisingly, the
majority sought counsel, solace and help from their personal
friends, relatives, neighbors and minister. Very few
received help from professional counselors, psychologists or
psychiatrists.
I
think that tells us something. It is far more
effective to talk to someone who knows you well and who
cares about your life, than to a professional who is a
stranger. And that is why pastors and other members of
the Church are so important to us all when a crisis arises
in our lives!
More
and more, medical doctors are realizing that valium is not
the remedy they believed it was a few years ago and that
peoples' problems are often spiritually related.
One
doctor, when asked by his hospital patients for sleeping
pills, quietly asks, "Why don't you read the Bible and
pray, and then just relax?"
"Invariably
they will fall asleep without needing the pills", says
the wise doctor.
PRAYER
IS A TWO-WAY STREET - WE TALK TO GOD & HE SPEAKS TO US
PRAYER
CAN REPLACE SLEEPING PILLS
Prayer
is a powerful stimulant as well as a great relaxant,
depending on the need. Prayer is a two-way street,
with us talking to God and Him talking back to us, giving
assurance, peace and joy.
Jesus
Christ said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt hew
11:28) Again He said, "Ask,
and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock,
and it will be opened to you. For everyone that
ask receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks
it will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
Our
Lord stated, "Again I say to you that if two of you
agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be
done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or
three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the
midst of them." (Matt hew
18:19-20)
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