VAIN BABBLINGS

I want to rant. And why not? It’s the fastest, easiest and most effective way to get your message across especially when people just would not pay attention. Then, place it on some obscure blog in the tangled mess that is the web for better effect. Works wonders. Right?

Okay, so that’s probably very inaccurate but what can a girl do?

There’s a certain disturbing practice that goes on in Christianity today, it’s so disturbing and so predictable that Jesus had to send us the red light beforehand, like, “I know you’re going to do this but before you do, here’s a tip…” I'm by all means guilty of this also.

I remember growing up in church, we were always asked to pray and boyy did I dread those Sunday schools. This isn’t the disturbing part. Wait for it.

See, we’d be asked to pray for a long time and well, since there are only so many words in an average nine-year old’s vocabulary, we quickly run out of what to say to God. What do we do? We recycle. Repeat some words and phrases – e.g. “Amen”, “Jesus”, “Help us”, “Please”, “Do this oh, Lord”, “Bless us, Lord”... the list goes on – as many times as humanly possible so we can improve our “time with God”.

Courtesy: flickr.com

Now, this isn’t even the major disturbance. Nope. It gets worse when adults – grown-up adults (forgive the tautology, but this is still a rant) – repeat the words in prayers for effect. I mean, really now. How short of words can we get?

Then, there’s the Church. When prayers get intense, we kick, yell, stamp around and repeat words in rapid successions (here’s a classic; “Shout Jesus seven times” or “Shout Amen three times”). I did these a lot. Church taught me but then I came across this scripture;

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Jesus, in Matthew 6:7-8).

For starters, God is not deaf! Neither is he like that old man across our street whom we have to yell a sentence more than a few times before his ears can pick the signal. I mean, even if we thought He was, why not use sign language or something? Really, who do we think we are yelling at?

Secondly, God is not forgetful. We don’t have to repeat instructions (yes, that’s what we do half the time – give instructions) to Him because we’re scared He’ll forget. If we do that to humans, not to God.

Third, how many of us, when talking to our very-undeaf, very-attentive friend repeat a sentence or phrase over and again or in between sentences have to keep yelling his/her name while s/he has their eyes and ears glued to us? Really? You do? You need to change your friends.

If not then why do this to God, especially after we agreed that prayer is communication, people?

Lastly, and most importantly, how annoying do you think it is when a person keeps telling you something you already know? God knows us, my friend. He knows our needs. We don’t have to repeat them to Him before He gets it. Because really, he gets it!

And while we’re on that, I didn’t say we should not tell God what we want…noo!! In fact, He instructed we ask! Yet, I don’t think it’s nice when we do things to God we cannot accept or do even to ordinary men. It just goes to show how we view God. Yes, that’s all it boils down to. Our view of God. A God inattentive, unknowing, unreachable.

Maybe it's high time we took a serious look at the Gospels. We shouldn’t repeat our words to God. But then again, don’t go looking around your Webster’s when you want to pray! -__-

Think conversation! Think fellowship, my friend!

“And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:7-11 – Amplified Bible). 

Need I say more?

Side note:
I told you this was a rant.
Do things like these occur in your church? Tell me about them. Come on, humour me…

Just for the fun of it ;) - campusdiaries.com

IN WHICH I RANT

I’m pissed. I have this strong indignation right now which I’ll hypocritically label, “Holy anger”. Why, you ask? Wait for it.

Last three weeks or so, I was attacked (and when I say “attacked”, I really do know what I’m talking about) by a barrage of messages about a new development in the world…or part of it. I really don’t have all the facts – or fables as the case may be – but one thing even I know is the fact that it is driving people panicky…and it’s a disease. On arrival, it had gone absolutely viral – in all kinda ways – scaring people out of their wits. And the Press being the heartbeat of titillating news have gone all sensational over it. But I can’t blame them really, after all they are informing the people right?

Ebola. That’s the name. It has been over the place, spewing venom of terror all over the hearts of people.

“Don’t do this”.

“Don’t touch that”.

“Drink this”.

 “Eat that with this”.

“Don’t dare breathe!”
These messages and much more stormed my phone and ears with a vengeance that was potentially more deadly than the said virus. But each time I saw a big “E” on my screen, I’d instinctively ignore it. For some weird reason, I do not feel any concern for the supposed disease. My calmness scares me. I should lay my ears low to hear the news plus all the dos and don’ts, I should get worked up over it but nah.

I honestly feel this disease does not deserve a post on my blog or my attention at all. I shamefacedly cringe as I type these words but all that talk about it is even more annoying than the virus. Then, there were the rumours, and the jokes. Gosh! I couldn’t stand it. That name is EVERYWHERE! At work, on the street, on my phone, on the news. Everywhere! And suddenly, everyone is a Medical consultant. I had no idea kola or salt were cure-alls till ebola. I mean c’mon!

Look, I could be a very nice person right now and put up something like; “Ten facts you need to know about ebola” or “Ten cures for ebola”. I really could, I mean that’s what a good blogger would do right? But the problem is, I’m not really a nice person. Don’t let the smile fool ya *straight face*. But, like I said earlier, I don’t really have the facts. I purposely shut my ears, eyes and heart to it (except wisps of the whispers snuck in…somehow) but I know it has a name.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him THE name that is above EVERY name” (Philippians 2:9 _NIV. Emphasis mine).

I know this disease has nothing to do with science or anything “logical”. It is all spiritual. Call me paranoid or superstitious, but there. So, don’t go around thinking all your fancy hygiene or concoctions will save you. Only Jesus can and will save you. You are seated with HIM in heavenly places, covered in the hollow of HIS hand. If anyone/thing is gonna get to you, it’d answer to Him first. And trust me hon’, ain’t no way ebola’s gon’ sneak past His jealous eyes. No way. But if you aren’t God’s, well…I’m afraid I have no reassurance for you except to find your way to His open arms. (Exodus 15:26). Or else, just go on ahead to ebola.com ey? (Don’t look at me that way. I’m not entirely oblivious!).

 There’s no reason to get stressed out over this…it’s a passing cloud. Stay in. The blood has you covered. Maybe I take things for granted. Maybe I’m careless. Maybe I’m ignorant. But, I’m not gonna let some unknown disease saunter out of nowhere and mess with my faith, peace and yes, sanity. I'd rather be an ignorant  citizen than an ignorant Christian.

Now hold up a minute. I’m not saying it’s not good to be careful and informed (actually, you should ALWAYS be – ebola or no) but I’m saying quite simply “Greater is HE who is in you than he who is in the world”. I just don’t see where ebola figures in all this.

I wish I could shout out *yeah* to everyone getting worked up over this and tell them God has better but this was the best I could get. Either this or buy a Chopper and a huge megaphone, hollering all over the world. But, I’d just settle for this. Get me money to buy a Chopper and we’ll talk business.

And once again I close my eyes in shame for paying this much attention. But it’s for you *coy smile*.

However, I’m going to say this loud and clear. “STAY IN THE ARK.”

What Ark, you ask? Well, go figure.