Ok God, I Don’t Need You Anymore!

When we get sick we take medication, when we get hurt we have surgery or use bandages, yet when we feel well there is no need for a doctor, nurse or surgeon.  Some “Christians” view God in the same way.  God is our quick fix to our lives when times are tough, when are hearts are broken and at the time in our lives when we hit rock bottom.

• Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Sure Jesus said that all who are sick should come to him, those who have sick souls, those who are hurt within and those who have physical ailments and not only did He heal those, but still does to this day. In saying this then why do I take it upon myself to say using God in the hard times is wrong? I’m not! Using God for our own personal gain is always wrong. Praying God give me this or God give me that is a condition we put on our faith that, if not fulfilled, causes many people to leave their faith.  In understanding God’s true purpose  for us then our faith needs to be an ongoing growth and study in the word and in our own hearts and souls.  How do you know if you are growing spiritually?  Here’s a checklist to think about:

1. Is your Bible only opened on Sunday?  If so then how do you expect to learn and grow without knowing the foundation of your faith and the laws and grace that God provides each of us.
2. Do you only pray when you need something?  Honestly if you had a friend or a relative call you only if they needed something how would you feel?  What about if your child did the same thing?  A true parent will love their child unconditionally, but a conversation or a thank you go a long way to growing personal relationships and the same thing goes with God.
3. Would you mind if your church leaders saw what you do when you aren’t in church?  This gets to be a little touchy especially since each denomination has a slightly different interpretation on the “gray” areas.  I don’t mean being afraid if your pastor sees you have a beer or knows what kind of movies you watch.  I’m talking about the true you, the language you use when you speak to others, the compassion or lack thereof to those who are less fortunate.  What about when you are alone with your girlfriend or boyfriend, does anything go on that you would not want your church to find out?
4. Are you more concerned about what others in the church are doing and not your own spiritual well-being?  Honestly, there are those who would rather find the flaws in the guy sitting beside them on Sunday than look in the mirror.  Don’t forget about the speck and the plank.

• Matthew 7:5 “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

We are not called to be passive “Christians”, we are called to be radical and open.  We should be compassionate to those who don’t believe and not condemn them and tell them if you don’t believe the way I do then you are going to hell.  Let them see the God inside of you even through the good times.  Don’t let God be your Prozac, let Him be your eyes, ears and mouth.

God wants you to call out to Him in the bad times, but he also wants you to call on Him when you feel good and praise Him for the things that make you smile.  Grace is a great and powerful gift that we may never fully understand on this side of eternity so let’s celebrate it when we are well and let’s celebrate it when we are sick!

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