Our Greatest Problem
The thing that annoys us the most.
This painting is a Picasso by the way.
I selected it because the subject of this portrait — whoever it might be — seems annoyed. Things don’t seem to be coming together for him/her.
This is a review of yesterday’s post entitled, Annoyances.
Those people who you think are annoying you? They aren't the problem and they are not annoying you.
Those circumstances you are facing that are messing with your tranquility? They aren't the problem and they are not messing with your tranquility.
All of it, every bit, is going on inside each of us. It is our interpretation of life that is our annoying problem.
You are the one annoying you.
When this feeling rises in me I think it is because I am trying to see the world in a way that is leaving something vital out.
What might this be?
You might think I'm thinking God. That's close, but too vague.
Here’s a question.
What about God is more personal and more specifically designed for you and me, as individuals -- each with his or her set of specific problems?
It’s your story about your relationship with God.
It is what he means to you and why.
It isn’t platitudes, it’s specifics, the things you would share if you were asked to share them he story of your spiritual story — your God story.
This isn’t about how you are doing, but about how you are doing with God.
In other words the true gospel is God’s love story with you.
It is rooted in history but is also as relevant as the life you are living right now.
The gospel as you understand it is evidence that you never walk alone and all the problems you face, especially the most annoying ones, are a part of his recovery plan
just for you.
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise?
Where is the scribe?
Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”