Who is Your God?

The fool says in his heart, "God does not exist."  Psalm 14:1

Some people know God.  Some people don't want to know God.  Some believe He exists.  Some do not.  And yet of those who seek after Him, some are seeking after the God they have fashioned in their own mind.  They go through life oblivious, not knowing that this God who fits so nicely in their lives is not the one true God.  You can imagine their shock when their path brings them face-to-face with God Himself - who knows them so very intimately and personally.  Imagine their surprise when the real God of creation reveals Himself and He is nothing like the nice little, controllable God they envisioned Him to be.

God is real.  Jesus Christ is real.  The Holy Spirit is real.  God is there, whether we believe in Him or not.  Just because I don't believe in income taxes doesn't mean they don't exist and I don't have to pay them.  God is who He is, no matter how we try to define Him or think He should be.  And when we earnestly seek Him, we will find Him.  So why are we so shocked when we actually do find the real God?  Why are we so shocked when He reveals Himself to us?  And then why do we pull away from Him when He is revealed? Is it because we thought we desired a relationship with the God we fashioned for ourselves, but when the real God showed up, it was far more than we bargained for? Is it because the God of our minds didn't hold us accountable, but HE does? Is it because we've not wholly followed Him in obedience and to do so now would just be asking too much?  We are like a child whose curiousity of fire causes him to reach out to touch the flame.  He desires to know more about this wonder but the minute his little hand reaches out and feels the heat, he quickly draws it back. 

I came across this quote by C.S. Lewis in my daily devotions this morning.  He so eloquently explains the hesitation many people experience when they meet God face-to-face.

" The Panthiest's God does nothing, demands nothing.  He is there if you wish for Him, like a book on a shelf.  he will not pursue you.  There is no danger that at anytime heaven and earth should feel awe at His glance.  but Christ the Creator King is there.  And His intervening presence is terribly startling to discover."  C.S. Lewis 

Are you serving a bookshelf God...one who is there for you when he fits into your life and put away when he doesn't?  Does this God you've designed in your head demand anything of you?  Does he demand all of you?  Does he command all creation, heaven, and earth? If the answer is 'no,' to any of these questions perhaps you need to examine who your God is.  For the ONE, TRUE God is not subject to my ideas and opinions on what I think He should be.  He's there ALWAYS, whether I acknowlege Him or not - whether it's convenient for me or not.  He demands all of me.  He permeates every area of my life - and when I hold out on Him - He confronts, convicts, and disciplines me.  He intervenes on my behalf - giving the VERY LIFE of HIS ONE AND ONLY SON in payment for my sin!  He's not a God of convenience.  He's not a God who changes with the wind.  He is not a God who is here today and gone tomorrow.  He is constant, never changing, and ALWAYS THERE!

C.S. Lewis goes on to say that, "There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion suddenly draw back. Supposing we really found Him! We never meant it to come to that! Worse still, supposing He has found us? So it is a sort of Rubicon. One goes across, or not. But if one does, there is no manner of security against miracles. One may be in for anything."

So, do you want a God who is personal and sometimes shocks the socks off of you?  Or do you want a god of convenience - one who fits into your life nicely without causing any bumps in the road.  The One True God leads to salvation and life.  Our man-made god does not.  It's our choice.  Choose this day who you serve?  Me?  I chose the God of miracles.  I want to be in for anything!

My God is real, personal, and doesn't play by my rules!  Thank goodness!  What about yours?

Grace and peace, friends!    
In His Love, Cathy