“I know Jesus is on that mainline
Tell Him what you want . . . .
Call Him up and tell Him what you want.”
(traditional gospel song)
Politicians certainly must be on a higher plane than most of us will ever be. How else can you explain their direct line to God, and God’s views on so many subjects?
Richard Mourdock, a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Indiana, recently got a lot of ink because of his comment, “even if life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that is something that God intended to happen.” (New York Times, Oct. 24, 2012)
Mitt Romney has been quoted as saying, “God wants us to lead, not to follow.” (Fox News, Oct. 10, 2011)
How do they know these things? Why does God bestow on them such specific information, while the rest of us are grasping for guidance?
I may be too hard on our candidates for public office. After all, they are under great stress and should be allowed a few gaffes. However, they are not alone in their claim to know God’s desires for us mere mortals.
We all know about the Westboro Baptist Church’s picketing the funerals of U.S. soldiers with signs like “God Hates the USA/Thank God for 9/11,” “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” and “God Hates You.” Well, at least they are inclusive.
I must admit that I am quite envious of these personal and specific messages. I am stumbling through life making decisions and choices without any supernatural guidance at all. How wonderful it would be if God, or even a lower echelon angel, would drop in and tell me what He wants.
Just imagine the questions that could be answered by an occasional visitor from heaven. Oh, I’m not talking about the big issues, like the cure for cancer, or lottery numbers. It’s the day-to-day solutions I need.
My hairdresser recently retired. Therefore, I look like a chubby bag lady. I would love to know what to do with my coif.
I have searched for employment all around the Golden Triangle, from Columbus to Starkville, no offers have materialized. I am wishing for a message about whether I should continue looking, or just give up and concentrate on the novel that I am writing. At least I have plenty of time to devote to that.
And, what about my crippling arthritis? Will I ever again wear sexy high heels? OK, I think I know the answer to that one. But hope springs eternal.
I will, of course, receive many emails telling me that the answers are in the Bible. But even those who believe that The Good Book is literal must admit that the messages are extremely contradictory. No matter which way you lean, the Bible will have a passage that supports that view.
We live in a very Christian part of the world. It is interesting to realize how many locals do not understand the difference between Jesus and God. I once had someone tell me there was nothing before Jesus. Really? Then what does “BC” mean?
My sarcasm probably dooms me to eternal damnation. However, I truly believe that I am not as evil as humans who claim to know what God thinks, and insist on beating the rest of us over the head with it. Guess I won’t be alone in hell.
Adele Elliott, a New Orleans native, moved to Columbus after Hurricane Katrina.
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