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February 08, 2005
You May Never Know the Consequences...
So here we are again, my mind wandering back to Islam…
Do you ever wonder about the impact of your actions on the world? I know I was saying yesterday that sometimes I don’t feel like my obedience really makes any difference. And it’s true. Though in my brain, I know that this world is made up of an insanely intricate, complex web of relationships and circumstances, I still have those moments, months, years where I think I live in a bubble. I believe that what I do, or choose not to do, affects only me.
Last night, while I was over at the Heeremas’ (free laundry facilities!), an example came to mind of how untrue this is and yet how we many never know the consequences of our actions (this side of eternity)…
As Nancy and I were talking about obedience, trust, and the like, my mind circled back around to Islam. I know you’re thinking--when is she going to get beyond this topic?! I wish I could answer that question for you, but anyway…I have been thinking a lot about the Issac/Ishmael split. I mean, when it comes down to it, that’s the point at which Islam and Christianity go in vastly different directions.
According to the Bible, in Genesis 15, God tells Abraham that he will have many heirs. That he need not worry. But then in Genesis 16, Sarah is FREAKING OUT. She’s childless, there’s huge social pressure, and so she says, look Abraham, here’s what we’re going to do. She takes matters into her own hands and look at the result…
Millions of people’s eternities are being affected. Islam is the second largest religion and growing. Would Sarah have ever thought that the one decision of an old barren woman, living in the desert, could change the face of the world? And here’s the real kicker…
So Sarah blew it, I mean, really, God could have been like—look woman, I was planning on blessing you and Abraham, but now you’ve messed everything up. Sorry. Game Over. BUT NO! God still blesses them with a son. Dude! I don’t get it! How is it that God is so persistent, so loving, when we are so relentless in betraying him, distrusting him, disobeying him?
These are the things that amaze me. God loved Sarah so much. He loves US so much. Nothing is going to deter him. And yes, he does desire your obedience…but it’s for your good! Sarah could have been spared a lot of pain in her and Abraham’s relationship, in a lost relationship with Hagar if she had been obedience. But God still blesses despite our shortcomings. He cannot be unfaithful.
I really do feel like my mind is EXPLODING when I try to get my mind around these ideas. And I’m just not sure why this truth doesn’t play out in my life more often. But anyway, there’s a lot more things I’m thinking and would like to develop, but I better cut this blog off now…
Is anyone following this train of thought? Or have I lost my mind?
FYI for future SALT’ers: The Muslim Student Association is the largest student organization at UIC and Friday prayer is the largest campus event.
Posted by Autumn at February 8, 2005 10:20 AM