WHEN PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED IN UNEXPECTED WAYS

 

Life often surprises us with outcomes that don’t match our immediate desires, yet ultimately exceed our expectations. Take, for example, the story of a young man who found himself in a difficult situation. Upon hearing rumours that his company was planning to retrench workers, he immediately turned to fasting and prayer, hoping to avoid being laid off. He poured all his energy into this, praying to keep his job and maintain his stability.

Despite his efforts, the news came on a Friday: he had been retrenched. Naturally, he felt disheartened and defeated. The very thing he had been praying to avoid had happened, and he couldn't see a way forward.

However, the story didn’t end there. The following Monday, the young man received a letter that would change his life. It informed him that the scholarship he had applied for months earlier had been granted. This was no ordinary scholarship; it covered all tuition and living expenses for him to pursue his first degree in the UK. In the span of just a few days, his circumstances had shifted dramatically.

Was his prayer answered? Absolutely. But it wasn’t the direct answer he expected. Instead of keeping a job he prayed so hard to retain, he was given an opportunity far greater—a chance to advance his education and embark on a new path.

This story illustrates that sometimes, our prayers are answered in ways we don’t anticipate. We may ask for one thing, but life delivers something far better, even though it may not seem so at first. The young man’s initial prayer was for his continued welfare, and though he lost his job, the scholarship ensured that his future would be even brighter than before.

In moments of uncertainty, it’s important to remember that the answers we seek may come in forms we don’t expect. Creation has a way of providing for us, often in ways that are far more fulfilling than we could have imagined. The key is to trust the process and remain open to the blessings that may be just around the corner.

REINCARNATION AND RESPONSIBILITY: UNDERSTANDING OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

 

The question of responsibility and accountability in life is a profound one. Some argue that the concept of reincarnation promotes irresponsibility, suggesting that individuals can act as they wish, with the belief that they will simply reincarnate until they evolve into better human beings. Even in this assumption lies a silent requirement of a necessary evolution from decadence to becoming better human beings and this implies working on oneself to make the change! Certainly if their is no responsibility for our actions, the very foundation of existence would crumble. In reality, reincarnation does not support irresponsible behaviour. Rather, it is fundamentally rooted in the principle of responsibility, guiding us toward spiritual growth and deeper understanding.

The true teachings about reincarnation explain to us that we are here on earth to learn about God and His Laws. Our purpose of living on earth is to live according to these Laws, and the more we dedicate ourselves to understanding and following them, the more we mature spiritually. This spiritual maturity allows us to ascend, eventually returning to our spiritual home—Paradise, from which we originally came. Earth life is like a short, yet crucial, school in this spiritual journey. For those who live in alignment with God's Commandments, they "pass" from this earthly school and move on to higher spiritual levels. However, those who stray and engage in acts such as murder, kidnapping, robbery, or rape have failed in their spiritual learning. But reincarnation, mercifully provides them with a chance to rethink their choices and make amends. It is important to note that this is not a condoning of their actions, but rather an opportunity to atone for their wrongdoings through the experiences they will face in future lives.

 

A well-known story of Therese Neumann, a woman who suffered stigmata, serves as an example. It is said she reviled Jesus at the time of His crucifixion, and through her suffering in subsequent reincarnations, she was given the chance to repent and seek forgiveness. This illustrates how reincarnation provides a way for souls to correct their past misdeeds, not evade responsibility.

 

The idea that those who reincarnate will keep doing so until they evolve spiritually must be balanced with the understanding that while reincarnation offers multiple opportunities for spiritual growth, the earth itself, as a "school," has a timeline. There is a limited period within which we must make progress. Earthly existence, like everything in the material world, has an end. Matter is subject to the processes of birth, growth, ripening, and decay or disintegration. When the time comes for the earth to disintegrate, those who remain entangled in material desires without striving for spiritual ascent will perish with it. This is what is referred to as spiritual death—the ultimate danger for those who fail to seize the opportunities for growth offered by each earthlife. 

 

In summary, reincarnation is not a free pass to avoid responsibility. Every moment we spend on earth is precious and must be used wisely, as our actions and spiritual growth determine our future. Those who continue to reincarnate without progressing spiritually are at risk of losing their chance for redemption, perishing and being effaced from the Golden Book of Life!

 

"It is Appointed for Men to Die Once"- A re-examination of Hebrews 9:27

In Hebrews 9:27, we read: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

This verse is often cited by those who reject the concept of reincarnation, using it as a strong argument to support their stance. But does this verse truly negate reincarnation? Is reincarnation even the subject under discussion? Was the writer of Hebrews addressing reincarnation at all?

To answer these questions, it's essential to read the verse in its full context. We need to examine the entirety of Hebrews chapter 9. It's as simple as that—no guesses, no debates, and no presumptions. We need the mindset of an objective investigator.

A careful study of Hebrews 9 reveals that the writer was not discussing reincarnation at all. Instead, the focus was on contrasting the old sacrificial system with the ultimate and final priesthood of Jesus. While the Old Testament sacrifices had to be repeated, Christ's sacrifice was once and for all, and infinitely more effective than the sacrifice of animals.

The last few verses of Hebrews 9 provide the full context: "25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

When we read this passage in its proper context, it's clear that the verse is not about reincarnation. The writer's intent was to explain the final, once-and-for-all nature of Christ's sacrifice. Therefore, Hebrews 9:27 is not a denial of reincarnation and cannot be stretched to mean this.

For those who take the phrase "die once" in an overly literal sense, I pose this question: How many times did Lazarus die? How many times did the young man of Nain die?

When understood correctly, reincarnation can offer explanations for many human experiences.