Been thinking about the whole "God damn it" is comparable to "God take this back 'cause I don't want it" idea. I don't know anyone who saunters through life with the, nothin' but blue skies I can see clearly now the rain is gone attitude (shout out to Geoff Moore, you know, Beth's husband). I do know people who don't understand what is going on in their lives and they make choices about how to deal with that confusion. I am sure there are a plethora of ways people choose to respond but here are a few...
- God doesn't exist
- God exists but doesn't care
- God exists and is vindictive
- God exists and is good
- God exists but does not consult me on future plans thus he is more concerned about his plans than my plans
I believe the first three are ruled out. The fourth is the right answer but not always (in fact often not) the perceived reality. The last one seems to be the most accurate description of my experience and I also think that there is much truth in it (although simplified). So looking at number 5, I see two responses. First, acceptance and trust that he really does know more than me and that he has my best in mind based on an eternal perspective. The second and more natural response is like returning a gift you received for your birthday. I really don't want this, it doesn't fit me, I'd rather have the money, I want a different color, etc. Essentially we reject the "gift." Not long ago, I got a gift from someone (who shall remain anonymous) and I acted like a child throwing a fit. Why? Because I already had one and it wasn't what I wanted. I was angry that someone would be so insensitive to give me something that they thought I should have rather than something that was within their power to give that I wanted. You can even ask Sherri (but please don't because she doesn't need to be reminded how immature I can be) how incredibly angry and stupid I was. What's the point? God gives us what he believes we should have rather than what we want even though it is within his authority to give us exactly what we want. When God does this, my default setting is, "I don't want it, take it back" (the kinder more gentler why of saying, "God, damn it").
My epiphany: When I respond with, "I don't want it, take it back" it is no different than taking God's name in vain.So the question I have to ask when we get down to the very bottom of everything, in the word's of Tony Danza is, "Who's the boss?" If I can humble myself for just a second, then I can acknowledge that he really does know more than me and does have my best in mind perceived through the eyes of eternity.
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7 comments:
You already had a Pinky and the Brain DVD, but you really wanted the Mini, didn't you? :)
I think God just smiles at us when we do get what WE want, but realize shortly there after that is doesn't satisfy us the way we assumed it would. I say "smiles" not because I think he is laughing, but it's as a parent smiles at a child's mistakes, knowing that he will eventually begin to figure out the world.
tru-dat!
Just curious - did you preach this past Sunday?
no, I don't have the training to be paid to preach. All the preaching I do is pro bono.
Well, I was actually asking Matt, but now that you mention it, maybe you should be doing more pro bono preaching. Some of your comments are more inspiring than what I have heard lately.
Yes, but not at the small church. I preached at the church my sister attends up North. I will be preaching this Sunday at the small church - same sermon I didn't preach a couple weeks ago.
Make a big deal about using the EXACT verbatim sermon text you were going to preach several weeks ago, but make it some sort of prophetic vision type sermon about tragic events that have happened since the time you were supposed to have preached.
That’ll teach them to skip church.
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