This is a question I have not yet been able to fully answer. I recently joined the Presbyterian church and was told in the pastor’s classes that a part of their faith was predestination. I don’t know if that’s exactly the same thing as fate/destiny, but I’ll take it as so.
I’m not sure we are predestined to live the lives we are living. I do feel that we as humans have free will and as such, have many choices as to how we carry out our lives. But then again, there are circumstances in life we encounter that lead us on different paths than we would have otherwise taken.
Did I choose where I was born? Certainly not. Did I have a choice in what schools I went to? At least until college, not really. As we grow older, it appears our number of choices does increase. As to whether or not we’re destined to make the choices we do, I cannot say.
For Reflection Can you imagine God loving someone whom you consider to be evil or unredeemable? Can you imagine that God loves you and that person equally?
My response – This is something that I’ve thought about from time-to-time. It’s easy enough to love those who we consider friends and those who do good in the world. But it’s definitely hard to fathom loving someone who has “done us wrong” or is absolutely evil. But I am told that God loves us each and every one, regardless of our thoughts and actions.
The New Testament is filled with examples of times in Jesus’ life when he sat down and conversed and associated with tax collectors, thieves, prostitutes, and the like. Many times there are those who would question why he was doing so.
We are to learn about the nature of God from the thoughts, words, and deeds of Jesus. In doing so, I realize I fall well short of the goal of loving all, even those I percieve have done me wrong. I can ask God today to allow me to forgive those who have wrong me and to forgive myself when I’m unable to do so. It’s a true work in progress, for I am human.
Yet another member of the ’96 state championship football team at Hickory High… went on to become star basketball player at Lenoir-Rhyne University… now head men’s basketball coach at his alma mater… former middle school student Daniel Willis
You never know who you’re going to run into on life’s path. Today it was former student Michael Collins, former Grandview student. Michael was on the ’96 state championship football team in high school.
He then went on to become a standout offensive lineman for the Wake Forest University Athletics Demon Deacons (1997–2001), named first-team All-ACC in 2001. Hailing from Hickory, NC, the 6’6″, 290+ lb guard was a key starter who helped lead Wake Forest to winning records.
Michael then went to the NFL, signing with the Baltimore Ravens (2002–2003) and Green Bay Packers (2004).
It was a true pleasure to see Michael out and about today and see the fine man he has become. One of the true fringe benefits of being a career teacher.
The rains started last night and continue to fall at the noon hour…we should see the rain stopping around 4 p.m. and cloudy skies for the remainder of the day. – Thursday, 11:40 a.m.
David Lee 