In the movie Bruce Almighty, Jim Carrey plays Bruce Nolan, a television reporter in Buffalo, New York. Like many Americans, Bruce begins to blame God for the problems he is experiencing in life. Thinking he has been dealt a bad hand in life, Bruce believes he can do a better job than God Almighty. God, played by Morgan Freeman, responds by endowing Bruce with divine powers. Until you switch places with another person or in this case God, you don’t realize that sometimes the answers to your prayers are right in front of you.
This is a lesson I learned yesterday. When I use Psalm 5:3 as a model for prayer, I often expect God to answer me in my way or on my terms. However, prayer is not like going to the check out counter after finding the Christmas presents you want. Rather, prayer also involves listening, at times meditating on scripture and waiting in expectation of answers. Yet, human nature has blinded me from the blessings, gifts and rewards God has already bestowed upon my family. When the veil covering my eyes was released last night, two Christian co-workers were right in front of me, a clear answer to my prayers.
Most people dream of winning the lottery, thinking about all the good they could do with the money. Thus, one day Bruce Nolan answered the people’s prayers, having millions of Americans win, splitting $3.33. In response, people were angry with God because their own expectations were not fulfilled. This leads me back to modern day, in a sputtering economy, with joblessness and not enough money to afford the littlest of gifts. Free will enables each person to act as they wish like Bruce Nolan in the movie. However, in this Christmas season please don’t overlook the good tidings, given from above, James 1:17, that are right in front of you!
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 