As a minister I always find it interesting when people ask me the question, “What should I do?” Most of the time they seem to have an answer in mind, and what they’re really asking for is validation/permission (or for an opportunity to get mad at me!). The Flight of the Conchords’ song “Part Time Model” is a hilarious illustration of this, in particular the part where they sing:
I ask Dave if he’s gonna make a move on you
He’s not sure – I say, “Dave, do you mind if I do?”
He says he doesn’t mind but I can tell he kinda minds
But I’m gonna do it anyway
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89zOtd6VAiU&w=600]
In this light, the question “What should I do?” seems silly, almost a Catch-22. After all, if what the Bible teaches is true, and we’re incapable of doing the right thing (for the right reasons), wouldn’t a better question be “What do I want to do?” or “How do I deal with what I’ve done?” I think the hope of the Gospel is that, whatever we do or have done, Christ has died so that we can be forgiven. In the words of St. Augustine, “love God and do what thou will.”
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