I Do This for You (Updated and reposted from 4/17/2016)

Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

--Mark 10:50-52

 

This quote from Mark 10:50-52 is but a parable of Jesus healing Bartimaeus. We are all blind to the strength of faith within us. We truly tend to not see the forest for the trees. What you want, you already have. Once you fully accept this gift, the existence of your own unquestioning faith, it will make you well.

People constantly tell me their faith isn't strong, or my faith is stronger than theirs. We all have the same faith. Faith was written across the hearts and minds of mankind because we kept misinterpreting the written WORD. Instead of giving us laws to write down and argue over, God gave us the spirit of the law so we would always know, in our hearts and minds, that which is right and required of us. This "Holy Spirit" is in each and every one of us. Then, just to prove our continuing lack of respect for God's wishes we, yet again, wrote the WORD down, this time as a New Testament.  This new interpretation inevitably resulted in us, once again, arguing over what God really meant.  Makes one wonder if it's the WORD of God or simply the "word" of man?   

This is what we do.  We argue over interpretations of other folks' interpretations of scriptural parables, and then base a religion on the interpretations we can't agree on.  You just can't cure stupid, which is probably why it seems God has abandoned us. But, then, God doesn't do things for no good reason. God always has a plan.

“Even the least among you can do all that I have done, and greater things”

-- John, 14:12

Because we each have the spirit, it is incumbent upon each of us to do our own praise to God. Having a priest, minister, or another clergy, pray for us or lead us in prayer, is not what was intended. It is our responsibility, our gratitude, and our praise that God wants to hear, and it is the only praise that will pave our path to the kingdom. Why would you be rewarded for someone else's work on your behalf?

I have been asked, many times, to pray for someone, or their loved one because my faith is "stronger" than those asking me. I was asked this again, just the other day, by someone I dearly care about. I think my response, to their request, is pertinent to taking responsibility for one's own soul:

"I do this for you, however, and you saw this coming, your faith is already here. The mere fact you are asking me, because you think God would listen to me more, is evidence of your faith. Think of your brother as YOUR test, not his. Maybe God wants to see what it takes for YOU to admit the strength of a faith you already have. Will it help? It might not. Maybe God has other plans for your brother that is beyond our scope to understand. But, I will do this for you, because you are my dear friend, and you have asked, but it is really up to you to find the strength, I can't find it for you."

Many times in our lives we feel helpless when confronted by what we see as insurmountable tests levied by God on our friends, family, and loved ones. Many times we misunderstand the target of those tests. We assume the test was meant for them when, in reality, the test is our own. Many times it is God's way of reminding us that we stand or fall, succeed or fail, live or die, based on the strength of our own faith. We are tasked to exercise our faith constantly, not just on Sundays. Our faith isn't attached to a light switch. Faith must be 24/7/365, no matter how strong we feel it is. It is with our own faith, not through the faith of others, great things can be accomplished. Others may support us, but it is up to us to succeed or fail. It is our faith, and our faith alone, which stands to be measured and tested.

I Do This for You

I do this for you

Because you do not see

I will have faith for you

Until you set faith free

I do this for you,

Though, no grace I earn

The task you must do

Before the pyres burn

I do this for you,

This prayer I say

And I will hold you, girl

For another day

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony: tolerantpastor@gmail.com