Deep philosophical, religious and selfish bratty thoughts

Great Debates
41

You say that as though you are the only one being denied Perfect Clarity about your life! You are expecting an epiphany that pretty much no one ever gets, why should you? Do what is in front of you to do. Make your choices in each moment. The big plan won’t be clear until you are on the other side of it, and there is no reason it should be.

See the posts directly above. If God wants everyone to be happy, why do so many suffer? And if you are so grateful, why aren’t you happy? And do you not feel the joy and happiness you find in Christ? And if you do, what’s the beef?

Really? How do you know that? Do you think that everyone who spends their lives doing crappy office work was “meant” to and God spared them the burning desire for anything different? And if you really believe that, can you tell me when you arrived on our planet from the one you’ve been living on?

Sorry, Jar, you’ve got the whole damn thing bass ackwards, inside out and upside down. You sound like a gal that needs to start over from scratch with the whole spiritual understanding thing. Seriously, seriously.

42

Have you read the Book of Job? That’s supposed to be the book of the Bible that deals with suffering, innit? I started reading it myself, but I didn’t get all the way through it. Frankly, the writing in the Bible is pretty bland. It addresses lots of interesting stuff, but it does so in such a boring fashion. (Literalists: Next time you see that God guy, tell Him He needs to take a writing class. ;))

Personally, I see suffering as one of those things that are so fundamentally bad that I have trouble reconciling it with an infinitely powerful, wise, and benevolent Creator.
LISA: Mom, it’s not that I don’t still believe in God. I just want to find my own way to worship Him. Or Her.
MARGE: “Her”?! She doesn’t mean that, Mr. Lord!

  • “The Simpsons”
43

This thread is actually making me more confused and saddened than I was earlier, so in the famous words of His4Ever, I think I’ll bow out.

It’s been occuring to me more and more lately that God DOESN’T care if I’m happy or successful or not, and believe me, it’s leading to a black hole of despair. If I don’t have hope for a future, I’m not sure what the hell hope I have.

For the record Stoid, I DO do what’s put in front of me. I don’t just sit around and weep all day for my lack of joy. I’m looking for direction. In my religious belief, (which you do not share I don’t think, correct me if I’m wrong) I’ve been told that when looking for guidance and direction and ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS we are to pray to God.

I’ve done that. And I’m no better off.

It’s a scary position for a Christian to be in.

44

I’m asking this on the off chance you want to have a genuine discussion about faith.

Why does it bother you so much? God doesn’t give a flying fuck about me, and I’m cool with it. Why do you need God to have something to look forward to? Is it really so frightening to live your own life and be fully responsible for all the joys and failure? I’ve been livng like that for a few years now, and it’s really not that scary. Sure, I don’t have a Higher Being to blame when I’m sad or to seek comfort from, or to demand blessings from when Ineed something, but that’s OK. I’m strong enough to do it on my own.
Why can’t you be? I think you are. I think you are strong enough to find your own answers, to live your own life, rely on your own strength, take the blame for your own failures.
Maybe you are asking the wrong question. Maybe your question should be “Why should I depend on God for any of this?” What’s wrong your with your brain and heart?

45

Preach it, pgirl.

46

In all seriousness, jarbaby, pepperlandgirl is saying something really important and meaningful.

I respect that you are a Christian and this is important to you. However, your angst is precisely the sad result of relying so heavily on a power outside yourself. “Wait, I was promised all this stuff if I just had faith…well, I’ve got faith and nothing’s working out and I’m asking questions and I’m not getting answers and now my faith and understanding are shaken and I feel lost and despairing and whatthefuckamIgonnadonowifGodisnt’gonnamakeitallok?”

My own spiritual quest began in my early teens, and I learned the most wonderful thing: I am in control of my life. Not necessarily every single thing that could happen (such as fertility), but most things. And those things I could not control directly, I certainly could control how I responded. And that simple reality set me free. It released me from fear, because it meant I was NOT at the mercy of God or the Fates, or random winds that blow, leaving me wondering what trash heap I’d end up on next. Or if I do, I know I have all the power necessary to drag me off of it. I am free from blame, which means I’m not a victim. I’m free to make my own decisions and choices, I’m free to fuck up and I’m free to fix it. I’m free to love my life and I’m free to hate it. I’m free. And I can’t imagine wanting it any other way.

Christ may very well have died for your sins, but I feel pretty sure that even if he did, neither he or his father ever meant for you to expect answers to your questions about whether you are supposed to go on being a secretary or not. Remember “free will”?

I think if God exists, he’s more of a Big Picture guy. (The devil is in the details, eh?) You think that your fertility or lack of it, and your crap little job are major issues, I really don’t think God would see it that way. God gave you the basics, a good brain, a big heart, a healthy body, some talent. Now he’s done. Do with it what you will, and stop worrying about His Big Plan. Chances are he hasn’t really got one, at least not the one you wish he had and would fill you in on.

Take charge. Taking full responsibility for your life may be a little frightening to begin with, but in the end you will find it extremely empowering.

47

It could also be that being omniscient and all, God not only does care (there is something somewhere that says that if it is of concern to you then it is of concern to Him), but He also has a better idea of what will ultimately bring you happiness than you do.

48

Good answer for those who believe, amarinth…I like it.

49

Maybe you have the wrong idea about this “great big plan”…

God’s plan for you isn’t worldly success… do you think God cares if you are in an acting career? Do you think He cares if you have a nice new car, or a wad of cash in your wallet? No.

The plan concerns your SOUL. You are looking in the wrong place for happiness, obviously. I’m gonna be a garbageman or a janitor… even though I have plenty enough skill to become an artist or director. Does it bother me? Why should it? I don’t care about fitting into trends, or climbing the social ladder… and I’m happier than most people I see and talk to. The higher you climb the ladder, the further you will fall.

I suggest reading the Bible for yourself, and being content with a humble, honest lifestyle.

The worst thing that can happen down here is that you suffer for 60 long years… and die a shitty death… big deal. Compare that to an eternity of hell, and you’ll see that you really don’t have it that bad down here.

50

Wow, what a coincedence. God spoke to me last night in a vision, he said ‘Marry jarbabyj from the SDMB, be fruitful and multiply.’ I thought it was a flashback or something like that, but maybe there was something to it.

If you are interested, email me at deke_weasleteats@hotmail.com.

51

Damn, God is just throwing all kinds of false information around, isn’t he? :smack:

52

Like I said in my earlier post going to the doctor is a good first step that you are taking. You don’t need God parting the waters to find the answer to this question.

As to why God doesn’t reveal his plan for you or for me, etc. Can you imagine the mess that would create? Some people would be constantly bitching about their plan. Others would get busy and try and bargin with God: “I’ll trade that trip to Europe for not having prostrate cancer.” Still others would try nosing around to find out what other people’s plans are and then try to profit from such knowledge: “Give me $3,000 and I won’t tell the insurance company your house is going to burn down, next February.” Someone would ultimately start elifeplan.com where you could trade plans with others. My point being that we could not handle even a peek at such a plan, so it is fruitless to even consider such a request.

One reason that Joseph Campbell is my favorite writer is that he says myth (religion) helps you
with deal with the most important goal in life, which is “a joyful participation in the sorrows of the world.” He also says something else that has to do with your OP and that is that everyone should “follow their own bliss”. That means if you are not happy with what you are doing then you will have a life of ups and downs. Think of it as being on a wheel, if you are somewhere on the radius you will go up one time and down the next, but if you are at the center then you are stable while everything revolves around you. That is your bliss and to find it you look inward to your center, not depending on others to tell you what it is or how to find it. This is the message of not one myth, but from all myths*.

[sup]*I hope my paraphrasing has been true enough to do some justice to his writings[/sup]

53

  1. I have been to the doctor. She said there’s absolutely no reason why I shouldn’t be pregnant within a year.

  2. I guess my question was what Stoid asked me earlier. If my life is so wonderful and filled with “an embarrassment of riches” why am I not happy? Because I feel there’s something more. I don’t want to be an actress or a writer for the glory and fame, I want to use the talents that God gave me.

  3. I don’t just sit around on my ass. I have been working at these things for years and years.

  4. I don’t plan on giving up my faith in God as some have suggested. I do have faith in my own strengths, but thus far, relying on those has gotten me nowhere. So I guess I’m going to follow my friend Geoff’s advice and leave myself open for the possibilities that God provides me, but to quit actively hoping for what those may be.

54

I really never thought you were sitting around on your arse, as you say. You’ve been working hard at acting/writing which are also hobbies, like music. How many of the best musicians actually make it anywhere with out a good agent and the right timing, etc. Odds are you will never make it big in your desired “field”, as it really is such a crapshoot to do so. I also don’t see where anyone suggested you should “give up” on your god. It’s obvious that your faith is beneficial to you. I think it’s good that you are going to use that faith in a little more realistic of a fasion. Lastly, I bet you’ll be happiest if you do follow your friends advice. He sounds pretty wise to me.

55

I hate to ask this question, Jar, but since you haven’t specifically said so… has your HUSBAND been to a doctor? Even if you’re fertile, he needs to be virile or it don’t work. I hope you aren’t assuming the problem lies with you if he hasn’t been checked out as well.

56

Doctor says no checking of anything, male or female, unntil we’re unsuccessful for a year. Three months to go.

57

You have a remarkably uncooperative doctor. That’s your first problem. Perhaps you should find a new one.

I mean, there’s one problem you can solve in the meantime.

58

No, IMHO jarb’s doc has it right (barring other facts unknown to me). To evaluate a problem, first establish that there is a problem. Not getting pregnant on the first try does not equal infertility. And trying for a year before succeeding frankly is well within the range of normal. Why begin painful, invasive, or at least expensive tests until there’s a necessity for it. Many insurance companies won’t cover infertility workups at all, but most of those which do stipulate that testing be done only after a year of documented trying has passed. So bring those videotapes of your efforts to conceive in with you to your doc, Jarbaby! :smiley:

QtM, MD

59

Jarbabyj

You lay a heavy burden upon me. I am not a scholar, nor an authority on Christian Doctrine. But I am a much loved child of God, and I cannot ignore you, when you cry out that God has forgotten you.

So, here are my thoughts, we will get to my prayers, later.

God’s Plan: A few billion years ago, God began a great work. He flung out galaxies into a vastness you and I cannot perceive, or even imagine. He sent out into that vast whirling mass of suns at least one planet upon which He brought forth trillions of living beings, at least one type of which is able to perceive its own mind, and apprehend the possibility of a spirit whose existence reaches beyond simple matter, space, and time. And to those beings He gave a spark of His own divine will. And then He joined these beings upon that planet, for a lifetime, and lived and died as one of them, to show to them His love.

Now, you have to ask yourself why? I know I ask that, now and then. Because I see a lot of His beloved children suffering. And I have heard of much suffering so far beyond my own experience that I silence my cries, out of wretched awe at the scope of evil. But I know that the Lord does love us, each and all. So, why?

I don’t have an answer. But consider this: The reason for our being lies beyond this world, these few moments, and our transient glories, and failures. The answer lies in the unexpressable vistas of eternity. And for some reason, God, who flung out the universe of Galaxies, suns, worlds, and eons beyond our count, The Almighty God of Creation decided He wants us there with Him for the next big deal after the Universe. And evidently Angels won’t do. He wanted us, mere mortals, the trudging motes only lately come up from the mud.

No, I have no idea what He has planned. But I bet it’s going to be really cool.

The prayer:

Come along, please. Along the way, we can love each other, to make the passage through this small vale of tears more bearable. I think that’s most of what we have to do for Him, right now, by the way, is just hang on to each other, and try to make the suffering less, and the joy more.

Tris

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ~ Lao-Tzu ~

60

Jar, throughout I have heard you asking for knowledge and clarity as to your future. That’s the plight of the human race. NO ONE on this earth knows the details of what’s going to happen tomorrow or the next day etc…

The things you are are good at: acting, writing, greatly desiring children, I have no doubt this is your hearts desire… but don’t forget for a moment that the fusion of these giftings may not be what is best for you; and God may know that.

I happen to know a little about this…let me get extrapolative for a moment. My strength is music. Since the age of 9 I have been what some called a prodigy…my obvious talent was singing, playing, writing music (at first it was only chord notation because I couldn’t even read music at first), lyrics and arrangement, playing in front of audiences…this I was doing within 1 year of starting. My goal as I grew up was to be famous. As God (or fate as some would call it) would have it, I married the love of my life, and I continued to pursue my career…it taking me further and further into the business and away from her. All she wanted was a loving husband and a family. After some years of this, things began to deteriorate…we began to drift apart. I became restless. I was getting better, making fantastic money in the business and performing with some big names…then came the moment; the big deal, the sure thing, the break I had looked for all my life, and came with it an epiphany I had least expected. All the while I had been focusing on my wants and my desires that I suddenly noticed I had lost everything that I knew would stand the test of time: A wife and family who adored me and would be with me forever or ungodly amounts of money and fame? I was hurting the ones I loved most in the process. What was really important in life? I chose to invest my life in my first priority: My wife. Anyone who has been in that position will understand how hard it is to die to a vision, that is engraved into the very fabric of your soul, what for me seemed indefinitely.

Now? It turned out differently than I could have ever imagined: I too have a day job, but I’m more fulfilled now than ever…I still compose, write, record, teach; at home…with my wife bless her, who had the grace and fortitude to take me back…and five beautiful, loyal fans God has given us…who wouldn’t be there today had I pursued my own version of my dream. That’s the nutshell jar… I hope it has helped even a little.

Life isn’t about knowing what’s going to happen, it’s about making the most out the moment…right now, and being happy with what it brings.

Be faithful in the little things jar, and He will give you responsibility over much.

Run the race, fight to the finish, don’t give up :slight_smile:

~eNiGma