The modern automobile is a technological wonder. There are an amazing number of systems, machines and devices that work together to get you to your destination quickly, safely and comfortably. Many of those devices are very complicated and almost beyond human comprehension. They are the result of years of study, research, development and modern technology.
Other systems are equally amazing but relatively simple and quite old. A car’s steering mechanism is a perfect example of that ‘old but great.’ Not only does the mechanism allow a driver to choose and change the direction of their vehicle, it also helps the driver keep on the straight and narrow. This is called self-centering steering, and while it sounds complicated, it is not. It is simply a very careful alignment of the front tires.
Self-centering steering is both that simple and that complicated; the tires are mounted in such a way that they actually prefer going in a straight line. Thus, when you turn them to the right or left, even just a tiny bit, it is in their nature and design to try and get back on center. It’s all a matter of angle and geometry. I could explain it in more detail, but it’s not worth it. The system is simpler to devise than it is to explain. That’s how clever it really is.
Human beings are pretty amazing devices; far more complicated than cars, we are probably God’s highest design achievement. A brilliant combination of things physical and Spiritual, there is nothing in all of creation that matches the wonder of the human body.
As beings that are designed by and for our Creator, you would think that we have our own self-centering system that points us back to God. After all, having been created for His holy pleasure, one could easily imagine a built in directional system that keeps us on track all that time.
Such a system would make it very easy for us to keep on track. But such a system would also deny one very important aspect of the way God made us. God made us free beings. God gave us the power to stay by Him or to veer away as we choose. The reason for this apparent design flaw is so that we turn to God because we want to, not because we are forced to. God wants us to love Him because of who He is, not just because we belong to Him.
A self-centering system that always keeps us in line with our Creator isn’t needed. Our own Spiritual nature draws us beyond ourselves and redirects us towards our true center. So, while we don’t automatically and infallibly turn to God, we know in the very core of our beings that we need God to be fully complete. It is that innate desire that causes us to seek out the truth and return to it when we find it.
Rather than simply forcing us to turn to Him, God directs us in other ways. He uses Christ-like people to love us and guide us. His written word teaches us about Him. Creation itself points us towards Him through its wonder and majesty. Finally, our own hearts are drawn to Him. Through palpable signs and sensations we are subtly yet firmly directed to God. All we have to do is let our hearts steer us and we will find our way back to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment