22 - Man's Disparity

Humanity's journey through life is marked by a profound struggle, one deeply entangled with the notion of free will—a gift that, while empowering, has often led us down paths we regret, into darkness we didn't anticipate. This divergence from the path intended for us has necessitated a form of self-imposed blindness, a refusal to acknowledge that our spiritual and moral compasses have been significantly misaligned. So entrenched is this denial, so deep-seated the reluctance to face our own fallibility, that we cling to our beliefs with unwavering conviction, even when confronted with irrefutable evidence of our errors. This stubbornness, this inability to concede our mistakes, stems from a fear of admitting that we are lost, of recognizing our incapacity to navigate the complexities of life unaided. The very thought of acknowledging our misdirection is anathema to our psyche, suggesting a vulnerability we are loath to accept.

Our ego, with its insatiable need to assert our correctness, prohibits us from admitting our shortcomings. It convinces us of our solitary struggle against the world, blind to the divine presence that has been with us all along, patiently waiting in the wings. Our pride and self-constructed identities become fortresses from which we cannot retreat, even when we find ourselves trapped, with no way forward. In this self-imposed isolation, we mistakenly believe we are engaging in life, unaware that we are merely existing on the periphery, disconnected from the true essence of living.

In our obstinacy, we are prepared to carry our misconceptions to the grave rather than face the humbling truth of our blindness. Yet, it is precisely in this acknowledgment of our limitations that we find liberation. The Scriptures remind us that God is "a lamp unto our feet," illuminating the path ahead and guiding us out of darkness. Without this divine light, we stumble blindly, clinging to our autonomy even as it leads us astray.

It often takes profound loss or hardship to bring us to our knees, to strip away the illusions of control and self-sufficiency that we have harbored. Whether it be the loss of loved ones, status, possessions, or wealth, it is through these trials that we are finally compelled to look upward, to seek the guidance and grace that have always been available to us.

God's response to our eventual surrender is not one of condemnation but of unconditional love and acceptance. Despite our repeated rejections, His patience is unending. He waits for the moment when we are ready to admit our inability to go it alone, greeting us with open arms and the reassurance that we were never meant to face this journey without Him.

Through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, God has extended an invitation back into the light, offering redemption and the promise of a life filled with purpose and direction.

Our fear of inadequacy, our reluctance to confront our own ignorance, has led us to hide from the truth of our existence. Without God, we wander aimlessly, unaware of our true purpose and potential. The quest for meaning, the illusion of autonomy—these are the hallmarks of a soul in search of something greater, something that can only be found in the loving embrace of our Creator. Free will, once perceived as a curse, becomes our greatest blessing when exercised with the wisdom and guidance that comes from a life lived in communion with God. As we step out of the shadows and into the light, we are reminded that we were never meant to navigate this world alone. God's call to us through Christ is a beacon of hope, a declaration that we are seen, known, and loved beyond measure, and that with Him, we are truly home.