do not be deceived

 Do you believe what only can be proved ? That is something I hear a lot of people professing these days. If it can't be proved, it doesn't exist. I have to disagree. Take something we all experience, love. Can love be proven ? If so, how ? Is love proven merely by compliance ? That is to say when the other person does everything to please you. When they make a sacrifice on your behalf, is that love ? It is said that God is love. Does God do everything to please you ? Is it God's fault when things go wrong ? Does that mean that God doesn't love you ? Each of us have free will to do as we please. Each of us are also accountable for those choices. If we are pleasing to God does that mean we will get " stuff " we want from God ? No, I don't believe it works like that. Does not the Bible say, you reap what you sow ? 

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  I believe that you will "reap" your rewards in the next life. The things that you sow today are in the book of life and shall be used in judgement. That is what is being talked about here. Our lives are but fragments in time, light in the firmament. What is the reward ? The Bible tells us of heaven. A place with no pain, sorrow or fear. Most of us picture heaven as a place to be with those that have gone before us. We all want to return to the time of life on this earth because it is all we understand. Life here can be proven. At least that is what our senses tell us. Our senses can deceive. The first words of that verse say just that, " be not deceived " and I find that telling. Is this verse telling us not to laugh at God because his existence can not be proven with physical evidence, the very thing most atheists seem to do. It is not an unusual thing for anyone to laugh at something they do not understand or something they fear as well. Nervous laughter may belie confidence and courage.

 The big question to be answered here is a simple one. Does love only exist when your expectations are met ? When you feel like your expectations are not being met, on a timetable to suit you, is that a sign of failed love ? Is that the cause of so many failed relationships ? It is not the failure of love but rather the failure of the individual to recognize love. We can not "detain" love that is lost either. We must let it go as a bad seed. It is a part of the " sowing " process. Just as a farmer selects his seeds  so should we select ours. Our words and deeds are those seeds. The crop will not ripen in this life but rather the next. Love is the seed and should be guarded jealously. Do not randomly scatter your love but place it only in trusted soil.

 Can any of what I say be proven ? NO, I suppose it can not. Does that make it false ? Again, no it does not. If we expect our rewards too quickly we will be disappointed. In truth we should expect nothing in return. That is love. Love is freely given, a gift. It is to be accepted that way as well. Love is nothing more than a promise. Can a promise be proven ? Only when that promise is fulfilled. I believe it will be and I shall reap whatever " crop " is my due. It is up to me.