READ: ROMANS 10:5-13
Salvation that comes from trusting Christ-which is the message we preach-is within easy reach. (V.8)
Being an avid golfer, I was reflecting on some of the comments made by John Rahm, US Open Champion. The tournament was conducted at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California. He prevailed over the best golfers in the world by masterfully negotiating all 18 holes of a very difficult course. Just two weeks before, he had to withdraw from a tournament while leading due to a positive COVID test. In his remarks, he indicated the previous weeks’ disappointment simply destined him for bigger things–winning the prestigious US Open and becoming the first Spanish golfer to claim the title. He felt that karma had set the stage for his victory. Karma in that Torrey Pines reminded him of his home in Spain; karma in that he won his first professional tournament on that course; karma in that he had proposed to his wife on that course; and karma now found him with the trophy.
Refreshing my knowledge, I learned that karma is associated with the spiritual principles of eastern mysticism. It’s a cause-and-effect relationship professing that all of our current thoughts, words and actions dictate the flow of one’s current existence and determine the positive or negative course of one’s rebirth into the next life. In the mystic’s mind, your transmigration to a happy future life is dependent upon your current life style. God is totally absent. You are the sole master of your fate and must live a moral and disciplined life to advance to the ultimate state of perfection.
Each of us, professing faith in Christ, understands the cause-and-effect relationship of events that transpire in our lives. However, looking at them through the filter of our faith, we realize that God is in ultimate control and is the one who gives us freedom of choice. Our choices produce both positive and negative results which certainly dictate the path our lives will follow. Yet, because we are a fallen people from birth, subject to following our own wants and desires, God, who is so rich in love and mercy, gave his only Son Jesus to die for our sins. This sacrificial act, and nothing we do on our own, provides us boundless forgiveness and eternal life. Our future is secured by our belief, trust, obedience, and faith in Christ. He alone works all things together for our good. Karma has no role and never will!
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Karma can be an attractive principle to follow as it perpetuates the illusion that we are the captain of our own ship totally controlling its course. Holy Scripture shows us the fallacy of karma and displaces it with the truth and power of God!
Dear Father God, let us never forget you are the author, director and leader of our lives through your Son, Jesus Christ.