Merriam-Webster's defines entitlement as: 1a, the state or condition of being entitled: right; 1b, a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract; 2, a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group; also: funds supporting or distributed program; 3, belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges.
It is this final definition of which I wish to speak, entitlement:
The belief that one is deserving of particular benefit or reward.
The term is used in a negative sense to refer to particular individuals who believe that society, parents, corporate organizations, government OWE them some particular benefits, standard of living or rights. I say negatively because the perspective is that perhaps these individuals are not due these benefits, standard of living or rights but take the posture of demanding these things.
As I have struggled with 24-7 pain for almost the past decade of my life; as I have felt the deep stab wounds of betrayal and rejection; and as I have struggled with health in recent months it has caused me to ponder my own attitude toward life and towards God.
My involvement in the majority world provides me a powerful benchmark as to how privileged I am, how most of us in the western world are. I am not struggling to know where the next meal is coming from; I am not at risk in terms of military and political instability; our family and friends have been spared from the violence and injustices of crime; I am blessed with a number of deep friendships and a much broader group of friends; and I have enjoyed a certain amount of vocational and ministry success.
But it is also true that I would like pain to be out of my life, physical and emotional pain; I would like to live near family and friends; I would like to vocationally be experiencing deep satisfaction of soul. I would like for my life to be easier than it is. Life is really difficult right now for me. I want the hardest part to be over.
This is what has pushed me to think about a subtle belief or longing that could betray a faith that is tainted by culture's messages that we deserve the best, the greatest good, the greatest comfort, joy, ease. Understand, I believe we relate to a heavenly Father who is generous beyond my imagination, kinder, more merciful, loving than I can ever dream . . . we have a Father who is far more compassionate to us than we are to ourselves, who not only longs for our good but knows actually how to work for our good (unlike ourselves who cannot always distinguish what is actually good). But it is also true that my faith is shaped by the expections of culture. Expectations are powerful because when expectations are not met, this is when deep disappointment sets in. So what does this mean in terms of faith. I would never say it this crassly, but there is a part of me that says, "God you owe me. I have sacrificially served you, dedicated my life to you." These are the words of one is who is worn by suffering and words that serve to call me back to a purer faith.
I believe the posture of faith needs to move towards what Job said in Job 13:15, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him."
That posture doesn't demand from God . . . it is a submissive spirit that lays one life out open to God. It says, "I will trust God in every circumstance. I will find Him good always (though there is darkness and mystery in Him that I do not comprehend). I will not fear the future or live in anxiety---the fear that I will find myself facing something that will overwhelm me--take me beyond the breaking point. I will not fear for he has promised that his grace will bear me up and his love will be constant though all the forces of hell and the brokenness of creation fall on me.
I will trust . . .That is very difficult--it may mean hard times; it may mean joy but this is the life of faith.
Pain in Life - God's Plan
Praying for your peace of mind and decrease in pain.
http://www.compelledbyreality.com/index.php/2008/07/19/pain-in-life-is-i...
You do not know me. One of
You do not know me. One of the faceless seats at Calvary, and not a member. Don't trust ministers anymore. Have completed a divorce (much of it my fault), and have been excommunicated by a NAPARC church. Have been attending Calvary since early 2007 when I attended a Divorce Care program that Jon was helping to lead.
One of my co-workers began attending Calvary when you were there, invited to do so by a member. She left the Catholic church, and shared with me the good news that she found at Calvary, that you taught the Bible, and that she felt privileged to go to a place where people took the time and energy to teach about God and the Bible. She noted also that Calvary seemed to be honest about problems - not swept under a rug. She very much appreciated your ministry. She urged me to go to Divorce Care.
You write often about betrayal. Probably true. Dad was a minister for 50 years, and suffered, too, at the hands of church leaders. I came to see some of his failings. More recently, have felt betrayed by church leaders during the divorce. More importantly, my own failings and sin. Along the way, doubted God's love for me, the individual.
Although not as conservative as the church I grew up in, Calvary has been a place where issues are actually talked about. I have appreciated the upfront way in which things are presented. I have appreciated the willingness of people to demonstrate that they care, and understand that it is a reflection of God's love. It does not seem to be a place where people have to pretend that they are good in order to fit in. I think that God is using this church, and am thankful for it.
It seems to me that God gives us particular strengths and weaknesses and uses us as He wants to. In particular places and at particular times. After that, it is not so clear.
You don't seem to be in a situation that you desire. Perhaps it may never be what you actually want. From my limited perspective - and this is what prompted me to write to you - God has used you for a time to prepare and nurture a place like Calvary which has gone on to benefit those you will never know. And it continues to do so, used by Him, even with those who may have hurt you - in ways I don't know and don't need to know.
In 1995, I prayed publicly that I needed to be humbled. God does answer prayer. Your recent observation that humiliation is necessary in order to produce humility rings true. I have found that it takes a while to be thankful for the humiliation, and to be able to thank God for it as evidence of His love.
Thanks
Thanks for your honest response. It was a special gift of encouragement. I am grateful to hear of God's ministry through Calvary. I love the church and its people. There are gifted leaders and a commitment to grace and teaching the scriptures. God is stretching me every which way right now and as I said in the blog, this is the journey of faith that he has ordained for me.
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