Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: End (02/13/06)
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TITLE: The Beginning and the End | Previous Challenge Entry
By Teresa Hollums
02/13/06 -
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The marriage ring, the solar system’s circular movement, new life following older death, the seasons recycling, and the trees foliage change—how many more circles can we name? These are lofty circles. What about the seemingly endless circles of unhappiness we bring upon ourselves when we think of only ourselves.
“Here, give that toy to me,” demanded one toddler to another. “It’s mine.” I wearily looked down at the two little boys playing at my feet. I sighed wearily as I then placated the other toddler by finding for him the same toy that he had just forgotten where he had put the day before. My husband and I always made sure that what one little son got, the other received also, but we soon discovered that no matter how we tried to “even” out the gifts, they still only wanted the other’s gifts-- as though each would somehow be better than the other one if they had the REAL toy.
I thought to myself, “If only they would just ask me before they fight over useless things that only give enjoyment for such a short time. It’s hard to tell if they love me or just tolerate me as an arbitrator on silly contentions.”
Then the thought reverberated in my mind: “I bet God feels the same way about my wanting that bigger house or my husband wanting that bigger car. Just what am I trying to prove? I’m in the same contest that my toddler’s are in—a contest in which they are bound to waste tremendous energy and enjoyment in life. Only God in his infinite wisdom is worthy of my energy and praise. Only God is important in any life. Only God’s great commandment really matters: “Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength—and your neighbor as yourself.”
How long has man been on this earth? Scientists tell us, if all time of the existence of the earth were compressed into a twenty-four hour time period, that man would be here, (according to the fossil record that paleontologists can date) only as long as you can blink your eye.
“And what is man that thou art mindful of him?” asks, not praying, and not reading his word. Amazing is the only description of his love for us.
Again and again God, the only Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, asks us repeatedly even as he asked Peter who denied him, “Do you love me? Then feed my sheep.” Over and over our eternal God without end asks. Are we listening?
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