"Not all seemingly bad things is bad, sometimes it is good."
About a decade ago, in church, a homeless man (more of "taong grasa") went indside during mass and seated at the back-most pew. No one dared sit near the man, even the entire pew infront of him was empty. He was treated as if he has a virus - a contageous disease. The congreggation would whisper something as if they saw something malignant. The pastor would normally give him food and he eats it outside. Upon seeing this, I stepped out and sit with the man and start a conversation. -- Well, it was more of a monologue since he speaks less. I do not know what came to me to do what I did, I just felt the urge to make the person at ease and welcomed. It was just for a few minutes since he has to go; no one else joined us in our chat.
I remember this movie called Beauty and the Beast. The villagers fear and hate the Beast. Belle, however, saw beyond the fur; she saw his heart. Even if Belle was sought after by men (esp. Gaston), she have never felt happy and loved. The Beast, on the other hand, showed her the kind of love she desired: purity above all else.
People who loved Belle wanted to retaliate for abducting Belle so they caused the Beast harm. Odd thing is, no one actually listened to Belle when she said he (Beast) was good. They thought she was mad or in a kind of spell.
It has a happy ending but the image portrayed by society was heart-breaking.
When would we start to see beyond the physical? Why is it that people do not listen to people who should know more? Why do people think that their opinion is law? Why can't we be happy for others who feels happy and wants to be happy? Why do we stereotype?
Kudos to you who are unlike many. I want to mention your names... but then... 'wag na lang.
We humans are by nature fearful of the unknown. If a hideous creature comes our way we run, at times, we attack. When I was in High School, I remember walking along the street when I noticed a serpent gliding beside me. Out of fright I ran away from it and stared from a distance. As a kid, I was told that snakes were dangerous and poisonous. So thinking about having a possible second encounter, I thought that I might not be as lucky next time, so I've decided to eliminate that possibility. I got a bolo and killed the snake. I killed the snake out of fear. I killed it even without it showing aggression against me or anyone.
Murdering a snake, gave me guilt, guilt because I know nothing about it, it wasn't harming me yet I killed the serpent. What if it was on its way to feed her young? What if it was lost and was looking for its mother. What if it was just taking a leisurely crawl under the sun? What if...
My kids hate bugs and they kill one when they see one. Whenever I see them about to kill one, I stop them. I teach them to respect everything God created and I always make them think about what they were about to do. I always ask why and they always answer that it is creepy and it scares them. Then I ask, "what is there to be scared about, It's tiny and you (my kids) are big. Don't you think they are scared of you? Do you want giants to suddenly step on you simply because they are scared of you? What if it just wants to play? Do you want to get stepped on while you are playing?" Typically, I don't get answers, and I do not need one. The simple act of letting the insect live or letting it out of the house (if it's inside the house) is better than any words.
Don't get me wrong, we still do kill annoying critters like mosquitoes, flies and roaches, but the rest, they have extended lives.
Thinking back, it made me think of the movie Men in Black when Will Smith is being recruited as an agent. Will's character is unlike most people. Typically, when we see a monster, we attack it, we kill it; and that's what the other recruits did. Will saw beyond the image, he was able to see beyond what the aliens were doing, he saw their intent - their purity.
I can't wait for the time when we will see things/creatures differently and be able to live harmoniously. It's just like that environment depicted in the current Nescafe commercial.
I have a very good friend (itago na lang natin sa pangalang Kaye) who has been molested - by her father. Well actually, molest is quite a light word, she was raped - several times for years. She kept quiet to avoid conflict within her family but when she saw that her younger sister was about to fall victim, she had no choice but to leave the house and took her sister along with her. They have to survive and be independent. To support her sister, Kaye did everything she could in any manner possible… and she was successful.
Kaye lived a bad life but remained spiritual. She had good intentions but the roadmap was doubtful. When she finally got in a position where she could abandon the evil of her past she did and was blessed and was grateful and was happy.
She asked God to complete her life with love and she found him and felt blessed and was happy. She told me that it was perfect and that she could not have asked God for more for she has found what she have been waiting for. (He was everything in her checklist)
After years into the relationship, she found that he has no intention of marrying her… it broke her heart. From this point onwards, everything went downhill, fights left and right, neglect as well as deteriorating relationship with her own family. Life was lousy, it seemed not right; what is she to do? – this she asked God.
Belinda said it most probably not for her and that she must move on. Kaye’s problem right now is beyond current signs but answered prayers.
Now the question lies as to whose “God” has she been talking to? Was there two different Gods answering two different prayers? Was there a curse bestowed upon her that she will never be truly happy? Is it a test of conviction or weakness? Is it a testament that life is truly unfair?
These are all questions and none of us do have the right answer. As I have said on my earlier post, rationales are always dependent to one’s mindset; no rights no wrongs.
As the title suggests, this might be blasphemous, but that is not my intent. It is more to understand than to question, it is actually to contest something not related to HIM.
I know a lot of religious people, prayerful and spiritual - I also happen to know some pagans and non-Christians who, however, respect other people's beliefs.
I know a lot of heavy sinners - wife beaters, child molesters, drug addicts, thieves, gamblers, killers, rapists... the likes - I also happen to know some generally good and 'holy' people (of course the holy part shouldn't be taken literally)
The thing is, I know heavy sinners who pray to God that they won't get caught or if ever they will be they would be able to get out of it clean - for years they don't and they thank Him for His continual guidance. They even sponsor masses or do some kind of fasting.
Their victims? - equally prayerful people who may have sinned and made some bad decisions in life but not as grave, who asks for guidance as well.
Is our God unfair? Is there preference over answered prayers? Did someone got mislead to the "God" prayed to? (like the devil masking himself as God?) Does the cliché "God works in mysterious ways" apply to this one?
How about this... There is a man that prays that his wife won't learn about his infidelity and continues to commit adultery. There is also another man who seeks Him and made a vow that he ultimately broke but shows thirst for knowing Him more. Who do you thinks should be favoured?
Logically, the answer to last question is none, but in reality anyone may be given what he prayed for. So the question is, is it really an answered prayer or a matter of circumstance?
It is something we may never know. We in our minds may have crafted some biases and have the tendency to fit something we do not completely comprehend as an act of God. But of course, it may really be His will.
There is always and easy answer for all situations above but what if the situation is like this:
"Jay is generally a good person and prays for financial wellness. He receives a sign from God and was told that Rey will be his business guide. God said a business with Rey will grace Jay his want and will also be instrumental in further developing his faith.
But there was a flaw. Jay promised to himself that he will only cash 1/4 of the business' income and allow the other 1/4 as reinvestment to the business. When the income came Jay took all his share (1/2) since he is in need of money. Rey, on the other hand, prayed and was told to wait for a while until Jay was more financially stable. Opportunities are opportunities and Ray got impatient, he jumped into the venture before Jay was financially stable.
For weeks, Jay and Rey were happy with the venture and gave testimonies left and right on how God truly blessed them and made them happy and prosperous.
All was well until...
Rey felt restless with the venture, and got criticisms for doing business with Jay. He cannot find fault from Jay but was seriously concerned about the venture that it makes him rethink of the nature of the business and the promise from God - 'Financial happiness'. Ray was indeed happy for the business but he also gets stressed from critics.
Due to stress, Rey sought guidance from God and God said that He will be less stressed if he sells his share from the venture. Rey obliged and was at peace and thanked God; Jay on the other hand got lost."
Looking back at the story it seemed that God answered the prayer of Jay but He also said to Rey that he should avoid Jay to be happier and that will unanswer Jay's prayer.
So how does that work? Was Jay or Rey mislead? Did things go wrong because of certain lapses by these 2 people?
All good things are from God, but if the good of one is not good for the other and vice-versa, then is it from God?
I beleive it is - but the thing is people will have varried points of view on the situation based on their personnal circumstances. And the interpretation of the will of God by man will always depend on one's mindset. It may never be true but no one can prove otherwise.
As for the interpretation of His will: there are dozens. A firend of mine already took one and I am taking another. You, reading this, will definitely have your own. There are no wrongs, there is just faith.
