The Humility of Being Human

Alright, now I know pondering your own humanity can be depressing and maybe I've just had too much time on my hands... Maybe writing this blog will help keep me busy.

Have you ever thought about this though? We all like to consider ourselves as master of our own destiny, "I am the captain of the ship..." and all that... And yet, we cannot even keep ourselves from getting the flu. I mean, come on, who ever wished, "Man, I feel great today, I need a good dose of the flu to give time off work and knock me on the couch for a few days." (Please let me know in the comments if you have, I would consider you a unique specimen in my study of the human condition). Also we tend to think we have complete control of our lives, where we will live, what we will do, but history shows us that is not the case.

If we are the masters of our destiny then why can all of the sudden people who were friends be split apart and even kill each other when their respective nations declare war. The American Civil War is full of these this, people who were friends, who circumstances and allegiences made enemies. Were they really masters of their fate or were they merely humans trapped in their own world and unable to escape it, able only to choose which side they were on, but not to choose whether there should be a conflict or not.

Another prime example is the Cherokee nation. The Cherokee basically moved to Oklahoma in 4 ways. The Chickamauga had fought the settlers in Kentucky before being forced out into Oklahoma, part of them later moved into Texas. The majority of the tribe stayed in Georgia until 1835 & 1837 when they moved to Oklahoma. In 1839 Texas forced the Cherokee there into Oklahoma, which means that it didn't matter what group you were part of that was where you ended up in 1839, all that changed was the way you got there. The 1835 group was a group of around 2,000 who had surrendered their lands for a settlement payment. In some ways they should have faired better but they were so hated for having sold out that of their 4 main leaders 3 were assassinated. The 1837 group numbered 11,000 after their forced eviction and losing around 3,000 to disease, cold and hunger on the "Trail of Tears." Each of these factions chose what they thought was the best course of action for them and their people, and yet in the end it didn't matter at all.

I could write more, but if you look at human history, it is like a wave of humanity crashing against the rocks of destruction, and just when one wave has finished the next generation comes and insists they will do better. They will not be dashed on those rocks. They know more, they are better prepared than others. Friend, of all of humanity who has gone before you, are you so much smarter, so much more talented, so strong that you will succeed by your own will and cunning where so many have failed.

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).

I once heard a story of a mighty battleship that was sailing the seas in heavy fog, it caught sight of a signal light in the fog bearing down upon it, so the captain signaled, "Change your course." The signal light replied, "Change your course." The captain was upset and huffily signaled, "I am a battleship, change your course." The other light replied, "I am a lighthouse. It's your call."

Friend, you don't need to fumble about in this life on your own. Jesus Christ came into this world and died to bring you into a relationship with God so that you can have peace with God and be lead by Him. He will lead you away from the rocks of destruction. Will you obey His light... It's your call.