Part of my Thursday will be spent at an Indianapolis hospital while someone has exploratory surgery for possible cancer. So I thought I would simply say something that has been brewing in my thoughts.
With the plethora of “health/wealth” false teaching we hear today, we often look at God as the “Magic Genie”-the one who will fulfill our every wish/whim. We will love God because of what He can or does do for us. There is an old song with the words: “Lord, I praise You because of who You are, not for all the mighty things you have done.” If we only love God for what He can do for us, if our love revolves around needs met, our love is misplaced. It is no different than me saying I will love Jo only if she meets certain needs or wants I have. You would be correct in saying (if you say I have any love at all) that it is definitely misplaced.
The ultimate question that faces us is why do I love God? Do I love Him for what He does or gives or simply because of who He is? Your answer?
I love Him because He is love.
True.
I will certainly never be guilty of looking at God as the Magic Genie. My worldview is that God doesn’t do anything. I can truthfully say I have never seen any evidence that he meddles in the happenings of the world.
For those that believe he does, I would think the improvement of ones health or wealth would be just as possible as anything else. I say if someone prefers to imagine a health and wealth God or just the occasional prayer answering God that it is all good.
I see God as a coping mechanism that people have invented and whichever way a person uses the idea of God to cope with this old world is OK with me.
I am praying about your worldview Jeff. I do pray you will see God as more than a coping mechanism someday.
I am always open to looking at the evidence.
As someone who has been on the wrong side of a diagnosis (or two or three), I have learned how to pray. I look to God as the comforter and my source of peace as opposed to the magic genie in the sky who may grant my wishes if I ask earnestly enough. Note that I said that I “learned” how to pray. I think it is natural to seek God out because of what he might do for us.
There is no denying God is one who answers prayer. There is also nothing wrong with going to Him for that. I am speaking more about those who are going to Him always expecting something but fail to remember who He is and worship Him for that.
God bless you as you go to the hospital today. You have left me with a good question to go to Him with. I suspect some of my love IS because of what He does for me!
Thanks for the thoughts Deb. It turned out well.
Your post reminds me of the great old hymn, It Is Well with My Soul penned by Horatio Spafford. It was written after a series of devastating life events including the drowning death of his four daughters.
“When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
That is a good story and a good hymn Rodney. thanks for coming by.
Great post! It’s sad that so many view God as their genie.
During some of the toughest times in my life I’ve had to remind myself that I love God even when things don’t go my way. I can’t love Him only when He acts as I think He should.
Maybe this type of ” selfish love” is also evident in the high divorce rate. We can’t only love someone when times are good. It’s for better or worse, right?
First thought: Even in the dark He is there. Second thought: most definitely.
“Because He first loved us,” is the standard quote of scripture, but having been pulled through tough times, it becomes easier to see His hand and the need for wisdom or just to show His sovereignty over His creation.
Praying for the one in the hospital and you to be used by our Father.
I have to agree Floyd. It is in those tough times we see the Father’s hand. Thanks for your prayers. It turned out well.
I totally depend on His love for me when things are not going my way, not my love for Him because it can be very shallow when it’s hard. The deeper I get into God’s love for the whole world the more I understand a little more of what God’s love is and is not. We so often judge God’s loving ways by our loving ways. Sometimes I mourn for those who pass into eternity not knowing this precious wonderful unconditional love. Mourn because it is here on earth we make our choices, all choices will cease once we die. Good post Bill…I am sure God will give you just the right words as you visit this one in the hospital.
His love is immeasurable for sure Betty. It is impossible to fathom the depth of that love. I too mourn for those who never learn the unconditional love of God.
It’s natural I think to begin love with what someone does for us, much like our parents caring for us. Moving past that (while still appreciating what someone does) and into loving the essence of someone is a beautiful thing. I do love God for both, but not enough! I want more. Thank you, Bill.
i think the key is something you mention jason: moving past that and moving into love His presence. That takes our eyes off what He can do for us.
Good point. I had to search myself and luckily came out with I love God for who He is, not for what He can do for me. That was a tough one. He has bestowed many blessings in my life, carried me through many a storm, I know I will receive whatever I ask for in prayer, according to His will, not mine. His will is always better than I could have imagined. It would be easy to love Him for the blessings I received, but even easier because He is The Great “I Am,” He loved us first which showed me how deep love can go…beyond my imagination, oodles, as you say.
Well said Nancy. I was hoping it would lead to searching. I know you have been through many storms and I’m glad to see His love sustains you.
I love Him because He first loved me.
And sometimes I don’t love Him at all. Because I love myself more.
Not much to say Stephen.
Here is why I don’t write on your blog very often, Bill….I’m always long winded. 🙂
I have thought about the question “why do I love God” for several days now, trying to come up with an answer that is true. My final answer is “I don’t know.” I don’t think true love can be defined. It is so much more, much deeper, than words can explain. For example, you love Jo. She is compassionate, kind, thoughtful…and a million other wonderful things. You could say you love her for all of those reasons, but that would not be totally accurate. There are thousands of other women who are also all of those things. You don’t love them the way you love Jo. There is something beyond words, something beyond definition, in why you love Jo. It simply is. All of those things may have attracted you to Jo, but the love was inexplicable. How much more so is our love for God. I love Him because He is the creator of the universe, He loves me, He cares for me, etc. All of that is true. But it is more than that. All of those things attracted me to Him, encouraged me to get to know Him more. The love is deeper and beyond words. For you see, I would love Him even if He didn’t ease my broken heart, care for my worries, and provide for my small needs. I would love Him even if my world fell apart around my feet. I don’t think true love can be explained. What I do know is that true love is contagious. It is because of my love for Him that my heart has grown and I can love others.
First Roxie, never apologize for any comment-long or short. I love to hear from everyone, especially those from OVCF. And especially you since you put so much thought and heart into your comments. I love what you say about loving God even if He didn’t do something for you. That is as it should be. That was my point in using the song. We love Him simply because of who He is. And you are right: our heart does grow when He is in control. Thanks again for the comment. Always love hearing from you. Get some of your church cronies to comment also. 🙂