We hear many voices in our world coming at us from every direction with various messages, not all of them helpful or holy. How do we know the correct path? To whom should we listen? Isaiah had it right - God is our best teacher and always has our best interests in mind. He has given to us many spiritual teachings for our journey through life. Some govern our personal conduct while others show us how to treat others - all involve justice, compassion, and mercy. When we listen to these teachings and put them into practice, we flourish. When we do not - and when we chose the path of selfishness and injustice - we bring disaster down on our heads. We should not blame God when that happens! But God never gives up on us and will give us another chance.

It is impossible to please everyone. People thought John the Baptist was crazy because of his extreme abstinence and asceticism. Jesus was more moderate and ate and drank in a normal fashion, so he was called a glutton and a drunkard. We all have our expectations, both of other people and of God. If they do not measure up, we reject them. There is a twofold challenge: accept other people as they are, not as we want them to be. As for God - as the old saying goes, let God be God and do not try to make God conform to our desires and expectations. We will be a lot happier and God will be able to do far more for us when we do not stand in the way.