Strangely Estranged

I get it, I really do. It's not because of me. It never was.

It's not that I'm a bad guy or anything. I know of very few in my life that can accuse me of outright evil or meanness. Fewer still are those who can say so as an adult.

I have never been in a fist fight. I came close once, but I just couldn't pull the trigger. I would say the kid deserved it, but then, maybe it was a matter of perspective.

As a Man of God, it is really different. I am required to treat others as I want to be treated. I believe I have done this in a capacity I would call...not bad.

I'm not perfect, of course. No one is. Yet, I have gotten quite a bit of hatred and ill treatment from many...really many.

Since I did not do anything do warrant that kind of treatment, I can only assume it is because of Him. OK, Him telling me that it is so, helps quite a bit.

It is like the current political climate. In a way, it is very similar. Many hate our president, Donald Trump. ABSOLUTELY HATE HIM.

It's kind of bizarre to me. Is he pompous? Yes. Does he boast pretty much at every chance? Yes. Is it unpleasant to listen to? Oh yeah. However, the level of hatred to one most barely know of...well WOW.

I don't hate him. I don't. In fact, I didn't hate Joe Biden. I really didn't like a lot of what he was doing, but I would have never wished harm on him. It is the same with all of those who just HATE the president.

It's weird. The depth. and venom. of their hatred to him is worse than if the Donald had murdered their puppy! Like the hatred of God, I get it, but don't.

God is in control. This is one reason I have been estranged by most "believers". I write and talk about this subject a lot. I have debated with a few, but they always drop off, so they don't have to agree to any point. Yes, yes, they do. If it wasn't that, wouldn't they as believers, as teachers, press on until I could see my own error?

I would...unless they walk away...which they always do.

You see, they sing it, "confess" it, but when it comes down to it, they really don't believe it at all.

I am looking for truth. I want to understand God, who IS truth. Everything is a study. Every situation has a purpose...including the hatred.

Yes, God is God over that too. Seriously!

Don't you realize that if God wanted, He could just change everyone's mind. He could open blind eyes, heal deaf ears and fix muddled thinking.

Yes, He Could.

He doesn't. Why not? It would seem like a good idea!

Ah, but I'm not God and neither are you. So how can we possibly understand His reasonings or motive. I mean, He has always been. I have only been alive since 1962.

Forever, compared to 63 years...well, there is no comparison. He is definitely smarter, wiser and better than little ol' me.

So, hated it is, without knowing or understanding why.

It always comes back to simply trusting God and His plan.

It really would be impossible, unless we know Him personally. I know He is good, no matter what happens or who hates me. I don't like it. But there is nothing I can do about it. So, I just keep moving forward and hope that those blinded by hate can have their eyes opened.

Mercy. I have received it, not because I was better, but just because. That plan thing again. Understanding this, I just can't hate the haters back. I know they don't see because God doesn't want them to see. It IS that simple.

I am not better. No one is. Hate definitely doesn't make anyone better. Actually, mercy doesn't either. I am not better because God gave me the grace and mercy to see. No, I am just in a better place.

A place I do wish even the haters could be.

Ah, but that is not my choice...Like everything else, it is HIS.