Matthew: There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”
Mark: One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.
Luke: (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”),
John: When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing.
Acts: this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law.
Romans: You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
Philippians: I hope therefore to send him as soon as I see how things go with me;
Colossians: These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.
2 Timothy: Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
James: Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.
1 Peter: When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.
1 John: No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also.
Revelation: and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.
2 Timothy: Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a senseless argument? I have. For me, there tends to be a point where all of a sudden, I realize there is no sense in continuing an argument. Nothing good will ever come from it. Those are the times I try to acknowledge and steer in another direction. Sometimes leaving the room or simply changing the subject can change the situation.
I have a dear friend who is the queen of distraction. We'd hike with the children when they were young, and as soon as the path started climbing or we were a couple of hours in, with a couple more hours still to go, and out came the questions, games, and quizzes. "I'm thinking of something you find in the kitchen, and it begins with T," she'd ask, and suddenly, the children, myself included, were completely distracted from any discomfort.
Sometimes the best thing to do is change the subject. I wonder if God ever feels that way about us. Maybe we find ourselves asking/demanding of God why such and such could possibly happen to us. Do you suppose God leans down from his throne and gives us something that distracts us from the incessant questioning and anger?
It makes me think about the Israelites wandering in the desert for forty years because they did not trust God to care for them. They complained and asked why they couldn't return to Egypt, where they had been slaves. God called them "a thick-necked people." God was frustrated to the extent that the promised land wouldn't be given to them for another forty years! An entire generation. Haven't we all been stubborn at times and thick-necked?
I learned some time ago our job is not to ask why something happens, only to accept that God has a plan. We are not God. God does not owe us any explanation. We are living God's plan. God's plan is always for our good.
Today, may we avoid engaging in controversies and accept that God is our one true ruler, the one with the ultimate plan, and that our job is to follow where She leads us.