"Desconfío de aquellos que saben tan bien lo que Dios quiere que hagan porque noto que siempre coincide con sus propios deseos"

The essence of this quote is clear and a bit cheeky: people who claim to know exactly what God wants usually align those divine desires perfectly with their own. It's a fun way of saying that sometimes, folks use the idea of a higher power to justify their personal ambitions or goals.

Historically, this kind of sentiment has popped up whenever religion and power mix. Think of the Crusades—leaders claimed they were acting on God's will, but there was a lot of land and loot involved too. Or even in smaller, everyday instances, like someone saying, "God wants me to have this promotion," when what they mean is, "I really want this promotion."

Now, let's paint a vivid picture. Imagine a small town where the local pastor has a lot of sway. There's a piece of land that's been up for debate—should it become a community garden or a new parking lot for the church? The pastor insists that God would prefer the parking lot. Not surprisingly, the pastor also drives the biggest car in town and could really use a convenient place to park. The townsfolk start to murmur, wondering if God's will is being used as a cover for personal convenience.

So what can we learn from this? It's a good idea to be skeptical when someone claims divine backing for their plans, especially if those plans benefit them. Instead, try to weigh actions based on their merits and consequences for everyone involved. If you're ever in a position of influence, be honest about your motives. Ask yourself if you're genuinely considering the greater good or if you're just dressing up your desires in more noble clothing.

Here's a relatable story to bring it home. Think about a family dinner where someone always monopolizes the conversation. Let's call her Aunt Linda. During Thanksgiving, Aunt Linda declares that the family should all go gluten-free because "it's healthier and what the universe wants for us." Coincidentally, Aunt Linda just found out she's gluten intolerant and would love the whole family to bend to her new diet. The family, sensing a pattern, suggests that maybe, just maybe, the universe isn't that invested in their gluten intake.

In scenarios like this, it's crucial to approach claims of divine or universal intent with a healthy dose of skepticism. Discuss, question, and find a middle ground that respects everyone's needs and desires. And if you're making the claim, be upfront about how your personal preferences might be influencing your stance.

So next time you hear someone say they know exactly what a higher power wants, take a step back. Think about Aunt Linda and the gluten-free Thanksgiving. It’s not about dismissing their belief, but about recognizing the all-too-human tendency to conflate personal desires with divine mandates. Let's keep our eyes open and our minds discerning—after all, we're only human.