The point?

I am wondering what the point of prayer is. So many times I have prayed about things only to watch the natural scheme of things play out. Or, been desperate and still refused. Or, earnest and denied. However you want to say it, Gods will and way is so far beyond me, what's the point in doing it at all?

 

Scripture says that we should pray without ceasing, that by prayer and petition present out requests to God, and he will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Jesus said that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, jump into the sea and it will be done....

 

My faith must be smaller than a mustard seed. Nothing is moving...in fact, the more I find myself asking, the more I realize that my prayers must be hitting the ceiling so to speak. The more critical a matter is to me, the less I hear or see results, answers or changes.

 

Don't get me wrong, this is not a question of faith but of relevance. MY relevance in the scheme of God's grand design and plan. Since I am human I often resort to human type thoughts and I am sure that's a downfall especially when compared to scripture. But, I liken it to a scenario at work. If I am running a project and have a goal of what I want to see happen at the end and this blathering fool of a person is constantly making recommendations on what I should change, or how, if I would change this one part they'd be so thankful..or they desperately need to have such and such on their systems. Much of that would be shrugged off and I would think very little of it since my goal is defined and I am working toward its completion. Now, if it happened that one of their request happened to line up with my goal…well, wouldn't they be a happy camper! They probably would think it would be their request that caused it as well. But, in reality…they just annoyed me and wasted my time.

 

So, that irrelevant, blathering fool…well, that's me. The guy in charge? We know Him – I don't want to annoy, right?

 

The issue I am having is if "the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much", how do I become righteous? Are there any that are righteous?  Paul says no…"There is none righteous, no not one." Is it futility? I don't believe that…

 

Until I have some revelation I am just resigned to hang in there and watch. Let God's will unfold before my eyes and just know that He's in control. I think it may be a little more quiet on this end until I understand a bit more of being righteous though. For even a fool that's quiet is thought to be wise.

 

If angst and worry equates to lack of faith…it's no wonder He doesn't intercede on my behalf.

Came to realize

For years I felt like my family and I were oddballs....grinding our own wheat, steering clear of too many refined sugars, avoiding scavengers like the plague. Even during that time I could see so many benefits in our health in regards to obesity and sickness in general. Even friends thought it strange and would attempt to trip us up with various scripture...but, we stayed firmly planted. I thought we were wacko zealots.

Not even close.

Due to an illness to my precious wife we have truly discovered what it means to eat healthy. We have also been exposed to the extreme difficulty to even acquire healthy food. In addition the revelation of my incorrect assumption that the label "vegetarian" or "vegan" doesn't necessarily equate to healthy. White flour and sugar are "on the ok list" for them - both of which we want to avoid. That eliminates quite a few cookbook choices from the menu...

It's been a struggle to make the adjustment. And, honestly, I have been frustrated by it quite a few times. But, I have also realized quite a few benefits from it. The primary benefit is the pounds that have fallen away. I haven't changed anything else besides WHAT I eat. Quantities are still large..no more exercise than normal. 20 pounds gone. That is speaking volumes to me. It's opening my eyes more...

It's funny how we think we suffer something or are doing something in an effort to improve - but, when we make a drastic lifestyle change, are able to look back and see how deficient we were...and thinking we were really something. Just like now, there will probably be a time when I look at this and think of how minimal my attempts actually were...