"God creates mankind with freedom and consequence for a lesson,
Allow mistakes to happen.
How far? As far as we have seen, and will see--
From angelic to devilish being, even as far away as 'Hell'
Some learn and become better, others bitter." (Combined Quotation)
Mistakes happen everywhere, any time: small or big, upsetting or painful, cost a few or a fortune. Misspoken words that cause tension, fights, and separation. We all have tasted the consequences of freedom misapplied either by ourselves or by others. Some are fed up with freedom and terminating their own life, others blame or questioning the Creator, why this? why me? Indirectly God answer: the horrible things happened to Me, too. Look what they did to My Son? -- Trust Me, learn from Me, you will see and eat the fruit (result) and be comforted, even glad and thankful.
My first big loss happen when I was still dating a girl in college. I was just a beginner christian, start being active in the church in Bandung, Indonesia. My parents just bought me a motorcycle-- simple but very expensive at that time. After 3 months, God allowed it to be stolen at the church. The following Sunday, a guest pastor open the service with James 1:12 " Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." I can still vividly remember that event (over 37 years ago). It's hard to describe. It's like for the first time I hear God speaks to me directly from the Bible, " If you endure and keep following Me, you will get the crown of life." I responded by trusting Him. Since that day, I was able to read the bible alive. Quick forward, the girl stick with me and became my wife. The bible changed me from a student who used to cheat to never cheat no matter the cost (10 years to get my Pharmacy degree. I was not born with a bright memory.) However, when I graduate, I know my study well. That helped me in my professional career.
I am not sure, which one is the crown of life: getting the girl I love; seeing the hidden treasure (value) of the bible (these last 3 years, I have read with excitement 4 times the whole bible, in different versions: New King James, New Living Translation, New International Version, and Indonesian and now beginning the Companion Bible (King James version with historic comparison/explanation); a paid-off mortgage; loving friends--all of them, or there is another surprise in the future or eternity.
While I learn and have become a better me, I hope my readers too. If you happen to be the bitter one, please turn around. Your life is too precious to be wasted, degenerated, embittered with negative's thought. Find help if you can't do it on your own. Start now with a prayer: "Please help me"
