11/20 Alfredo (see HERE)
“Is it your life, or is it God’s?”
That was the main question a young man named Alfredo had for
me, and it seemed to be the main reason he rejects the Gospel. “If we are given something”, he reasoned,
“shouldn’t we have the right to use it the way we want?”
Alfredo was very insightful during our conversation in the
parking lot outside a fitness club, and I feel like his question gets to the
heart of the Gospel. But I believe the
answer isn’t one most people want to hear.
Whose life is this, anyway?
It’s a question of kingship.
Who sits on the throne of our life?
Are we going to live life on God’s terms, or our own?
It’s not a new question.
Centuries ago, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was walking on the roof of
the royal palace, and said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the
royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
Nebuchadnezzar was clearly living life on his own terms, so
God decided to intervene and teach him a little common sense:
“Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from
heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal
authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will
live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will
pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all
kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately what had been said about
Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like
the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like
the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
The once proud king was reduced to living like an animal
until the real King deemed that lessons had been learned: “At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar,
raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the
Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever…. When my sanity
returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles
sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater
honor than before. Now I,
Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts
are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.” (Daniel 4:28-37)
God taught Nebuchadnezzar a valuable lesson, one which
Alfredo also needs to learn. Later in
our conversation he had said that God would have every right to tell him what
to do, and knows he may suffer the consequence for his actions he
deserves. But, like King Nebuchadnezzar,
I don’t think he realizes how real these consequences are for living life on
his own terms rather than giving God the glory that only He deserves.
Thanks, Alfredo, for allowing me to record our
conversation. It can be seen on my
YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/JTPBziJegd8
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