The book Catch-22 tells of a squadron of World War II flyers stationed on the fictitious island of Pianos in the Mediterranean. Before a flyer could transfer off the island, he had to complete twenty-five extremely dangerous missions over southern Europe.
One flyer, Yosarian, was especially anxious to leave. After completing his twenty-fifth mission, his commanding officer began raising the number of qualifying missions. Insanity became the only justification for a transfer. But the commander decided that whoever feigned insanity to obtain a transfer proved his sanity by that same act!
Realizing it was all a cruel game with no way out, Yosarian developed a plan to build a raft and float to Sweden. Even though there was a whole continent between him and Sweden and the ocean currents would take him in the opposite direction, he couldn't be dissuaded. He took a leap into the absurd with a hopeless and impossible plan to escape a hopeless and impossible situation.
In their relentless quest for meaning in life, many people become spiritual Yosarians. Rejecting God, who is the only sure and rational answer to life, they jump headlong into alcohol, drugs, witchcraft, astrology, reincarnation, or countless other absurdities.
Many acknowledge God but try to gain His approval through self-righteous deeds apart from true faith. In either case the results are the same: no faith, no salvation, no hope, no peace, and no assurance.
But those who take God at His word and approach Him in true faith receive His approval and enjoy His blessings. Theirs isn't a blind leap into the absurd but a living hope in the God who made man and who alone can fulfill a man's deepest longings. They know the joy and satisfaction of a life spent in service to Christ and have the peace and assurance that all is well – both now and for eternity.
"By [faith] the men of old gained approval" (Hebrews 11:2)
God makes His approval known to those who trust in Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment