PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THR HORSE

by CharlesRobey
(Trussville, AL USA)

PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE
Good morning class. Please listen up. We have a heavy science discipline agenda starting next week, so I'll get right to the point of the subject. I trust I won't ruin your weekend entertainment when I give out this homework topic.

First, I'd like to thank the class for the heavy participation in determining the programming of this semester's topic. Your idea of the question box in which you may deposit your questions was a good idea, but a challenge for me. As for the topic I happened to pull out of the box, I will need all the input I can gather from you students. The topic is "The existence of God."

We will start this subject come Monday morning, so put on your thinking caps over the weekend, please. As usual, you may email me over the weekend if you have any concerns or questions on this rather involved homework assignment. \

Here's a hint: an Internet search on this particular subject could prove very helpful, especially the Christian websites.

I should have not volunteered my services over the weekend. For it was not until I was surrounded by the serene quietness of my home that I happen to realize how exhausted I must be. I didn't even get to see my favorite Friday night TV show episode, as I apparently fell deep in sleep, dead to the world. That's when it all happened.

All of a sudden, I apparently fell victim to my semi-consciousness. My dream world literally came alive in vivid living Technicolor.

I found myself in a rather large university lecture hall where I was engrossed in a live professional debate on, you guessed it, "The existence of God." However, I was lucky, for all of a sudden I was joined by a very unlikely character.

This unusual personality seemed to appear out of nowhere. He was dressed in Bible garb, and also his speech patterns reinforced the part. And his demeanor resembled that of a divinely inspired Bible character.

"My son, I understand that you are somewhat distressed over a very tough class project question that being, "The existence of God." Maybe today's debate may give you some ideas for your class project."

This stranger then quickly addressed my dilemma. "I have heard your concern. What are you so confused about? I feel you may be putting the cart before the horse. In other words, you seem to be all about confusing cause and effect."

"You see, this great universe of ours cannot be debatable, nor may its existence be arguable. We are here, physically living in this great universe. So this universe is definitely an effect which required an adequate cause, and the only sufficient cause is God (Psalm 19:1). So this great universe not only proves a Maker but also a Designer." (Romans 1:18-20)

All mankind is created with a body, mind, and soul, as a free moral and intellectual being. So this body must have had a maker who Himself is a moral and intellectual being. (Acts 17:29) And that being is our all-powerful, all-knowing living Creator God. Thus, the cause and effect of our existence is the living God."

"And the Scripture makes it perfectly clear that God’s eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen in the creation of the world around us." (Romans 1:20) (Psalm 19:1) (Psalm 97:6) (Job 12:7–10).

"Wow, who exactly are you? I asked. "Are you an angel? Are you a prophet? Are You of a divine nature? You must be sent from our living God. But what shall I say, when one questions the fact that no one has ever seen God?"

"A very good question. You can't see the thunder that you hear, but you do see its lightning. You can't see the wind but you surely can see its effect, some very costly in terms of physical damage and human lives. You can't see the smell of your grandma's cooking but you surely do get filled by its byproduct."

"OK. I catch your drift," I responded rather cautiously.
"You see, my son, this living God has no beginning and will have no end. (Revelation 1:8) And although He is a living Spirit and has never been seen, we have ample evidence of His existence, from the works He has, done, is doing, and will do. By faith (Hebrews 11:1, 6), we must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth." (John 14:23)

"The worship of God is not to be confined to a single geographical location, which includes only worshiping our living God inside a church house. You may worship Him anywhere, and at any time. You need not look up to the sky, as many do by habit, in talking with Him. Better to bend a knee in prayer. Worship is actually a matter of the heart, not by any external actions."

"One other thing, in case a student happens to ask, we are all made in the image of God. (Geneses 1:26-27) And being an educated science teacher, I need not show you how complicated the human body is. No beast of any kind can compare to the complicated human body, much less have a living soul, as do we humans. Can a primate calculate the most intricate math problems? Can a fish carry on a conversation with you? I think not. So just be realistic in talking with your students. They will understand."

"Wow! Again I get it." I exclaimed. "I think I can now take your word and build on it. I'm almost ready for my class. Please tell me who you are. One thing for sure, I just know you have been sent to me by the living God, as I surely was in a mess, due to next week's class assignment."

"Simply put, my son, I want very strongly for you to remember my thoughts when you do wake up," he responded quoting (Hebrews 13:2).

"Oh, OK, I get it. This is just another of my unusual dreams. I do thank you for your excellent input into my troubling teaching assignment. You were certainly a great help. And I will never forget your presence in my make-believe life. Please come back and visit me any time in my dreams." I answered.

"You're welcome, my son." And with those words, he simply disappeared as quickly as he had arrived.

Yes, I did awaken rather hurriedly, after our mystical conversation. I was ready and willing to dive into this coming week's science project, and all set for the challenge. Oh yes, I will never forget the reality of that last Scripture passage he quoted me.

A parting thought, even after my awaking out of this divinely inspired dream, this complete stranger's last quoted Scripture continued to ring in my subconscious. I do strongly feel some have actually entertained angels without knowing it, be it in a dream, a vision or a personal encounter. (Genesis 18:1-8) (James 2:25)

How about you, my friend, does this blog prompt your recall?

Author's Postscript
Psychologists say that we all dream, and that some dreams are remembered, whereas others are not. Some of my dreams simply fall by the wayside, while others I just can't seem to shake off.

However, we should always listen to the voice of God in whatever manner he chooses to speak with us; be it His holy word (II Timothy 3:16-17), a dream or a vision (Matthew 2:12-13) (Matthew 2:19-22), an angel unawares (Hebrews 13:2), or simply our subconscious. (John 14:16,26)

I remember going back in time, my young Sunday School days, and the many good choruses we would sing. One such chorus goes like this:

The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me.
I stand alone on the word of God,
The B-I-B-L-E.

Aside from dreams or visions, God's word is enough for me.

The Bible describes God as eternal (Psalm 90:2) (I Timothy 1:17), all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17) ( Colossians 1:17), infinite in understanding (Psalm 147:5) ( Isaiah 40:28), perfectly holy like no other (Exodus 15:11) (I Samuel 2:2), the only God (Psalm 86:8–10), incapable of lying (Titus 1:2), Creator of the whole universe (Genesis 1:1) (John 1:3), and Savior (Titus 2:13)—just to name a few attributes. So how do we know such a God exists? Yes, the Bible tells us so. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

Oh, I know, if you are like me and I know you are in some respects, as we are all God-made humans with a variety of characteristics. Our finite minds could never comprehend the many attributes of our living God.

There's no way I can fathom the fact that God has no beginning, and that He spoke all of creation, the heavens, the earth, and all that is in it, into existence in just six days. He is made up of three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, each having very specific duties. And I could go on and on.

I just have to take Him at His word by faith. (Hebrews 11:1,6) I will take it by faith that He will accept me into His eternal family, simply by my faith in His free grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Amen!

And like my many other dream parables, this fiction blog is designed to drive the gospel home and cause you to think.