whereas I don’t agree that God expects us to give up those talents and capabilities we possess merely to seek Him, but rather that our talents and capabilities are one means of both seeking him, and of doing his will on earth (assuming of course we use those capabilities and talents for our good and for the good of others) but I do understand the idea of giving up one pursuit for another.

Some people are possessed of so many talents and interests, and maybe everyone is when you get right down to it (if you could step inside them and see them as they really are), that one of the lessons I have had to eat in this life, often unwillingly and sometimes bitterly, is to let off on some pursuits in favor of others. There are many things I would like to do that as I age I realize I will never pursue properly much less complete, because this world and time prevent me from exploiting my every interest and talent. And some talents I pursue, such as my detective and analytical capabilities, not because I am always thrilled with doing such things, and often wouldn’t rather pursue other matters, but because they are part of my duty and responsibility to myself, to God, my community, my nation, and sometimes, the world at large. I do certain things, and think I am good at certain things, not because I like mutilated corpses, or weaponry, or manhunting, or crime, or espionage, or war matters (though there are times things like that are the most fascinating things I can do, they are also at times the most discouraging and revolting things I can do, sometimes they make me ecstatic and practically enthrall and possess me, sometimes sick to my stomach and I never want to see or hear about that kinda crap again) but because I am good at them for a reason, like it or not. God sometimes lays upon us those things we don’t always enjoy or may even find at times hard to bear because we are fit for them, regardless of our actual desires. And I think it pleases Him that we are willing to do what is hard, as well as what is natural, easy, and comfortable.

And then again other responsibilities, such as family and children and church (or in your case synagogue) and friendships place demands on my time which prevent me from pursuing other matters, which truth be told, I’d rather be in the hunt for. Some of the things I’ve done before that I rarely get time to do now is go on archaeological expeditions, keep up with scientific projects related to physics and space exploration and genetics and biological experiments, draw and paint, explore, tinker with things just for fun, pursue psychology, go hiking and mountain climbing, play games, take part in missionary activities, heck I rarely even get the chance to Vad anymore.

But I also suspect that part of heaven, part of our next life will be the opportunity to fully exploit and explore things that right now we are hampered in our pursuit of because time and resources and demands, both internal and external prevent our best application at those things we might derma of completely mastering. Eternity is a long time after all, and affords certain opportunities that we as mortal men now lack.

I reckon what I am trying to say is that when I am dead and finally have some real time, or when time won’t matter that much, if at all, I plan on pursuing somethings that right now circumstances prevent. When I am dead I plan to pursue those things which now I can only spend small time and effort at mastering. I will take up architecture as I have always dreamed, will compose music, play the piano (or whatever best passes for my most natural instrument there), write poetry and whatever else I feel like writing just for the helluvah it, invent those things which now I can only derma of building because the technology and materials don’t now exist, travel to other worlds if I can get to them, will construct a huge laboratory and observatory and conduct experiments I could never fully devote myself to here, paint and sketch, seek out mysteries I’d like to resolve, read a lot (or whatever passes as that best method of obtaining information), explore and roam at will. And I will do other things, visit my dead family and buddies I have lost over the course of living, play with my dead pets, maybe if they exist and I sure hope they do – visit other beings and creatures, talk with some famous people I have always wanted to meet, and yak with God about all kinds of things I’ve always wanted to know about. And I will go fishing a lot. Just because I can. I guess what I’m saying is that although I see nothing wrong at all with your pursuing in this world what is most natural to you in the way God built you to be, nevertheless there will also come another day, another “time” if you will, another world in which what now circumscribes us will break apart and melt away like our flesh, and we will have fresh frontiers, maybe beyond all limit to navigate.

I don’t know if that is any comfort to ya, or not, but to me it is a promise, a hope, and an anticipation of much greater things to come, and a much better world to explore.
A Brave New World, unencumbered by our small limitations, filled with what is best and most true, and open to us without restriction so that we may become as we were always best designed to be, and should be, and will be, when it is so.

So, keep singing. Even if it is only in your own heart.
One day God may ask you for a song, for himself or for another, if not in this life, then maybe in another.
One never knows, and it is always best to be prepared.

So, be prepared.
And see ya later.

By the way, it was a durn good piece of writing you posted.
When you wanna be, you can be really quite a good writer.

I’m 90/10 positive that religion has been, and still is, good for man. Even though I’m between religions myself right now.

But your last line nails it.

If it works for you, who am I to question it?

Amen!

I’m with Jaymaster. Perhaps it is due to our coming from the heretical perspective of Christianity, but it seems that to sacrifice a blessing, a talent that some believe comes from the Divine, is akin to handing a gift back to the giver.

But I’m not Jewish.

I’ve struggled to understand Religion, and decide whether on the whole it has been a boon to humanity or a curse. I’ve been to the cathedral in York and stared for an hour at its stained glass. I’ve listened to Buddhist monks chant on New Years Eve from their monastery on Hiei mountain in Kyoto, Japan. And I’ve delighted in Mozart, Handel and Bach – all men inspired by the Divine in one way or another to create music that is transcendent.

Then I consider History, and the state of Islam today as well as the intolerance that lingers in many Christian sects.

I don’t know. But if it works for you, then who am I to question it?

Oh. And I was raised a Methodist, and born with an extreme love of music. But I was also blessed with the voice of Kermit. So I understand your feelings, I think, but coming from the opposite perspective.

And its intriguing to me that many of the religious role models I grew up with would consider your choice as something close to a sin.

Interesting stuff, these things we call religion…

Well comrade, you still do, and that is a fine post if I have ever seen one!