Have you ever noticed when someone yawns it seems to be catchy? All of a sudden one or several more are trying to say, “Don’t do that” while stifling a yawn or experiencing a full-fledged yawn.
When something is boring we often say something on the order of “I was at a yawnfest.”
The word yawn is associated with one of two things usually: something boring or the person is a little tired.
So what in the world is Drew Dyck talking about when he writes about Yawning at Tigers? When we think of tigers we envision these massive and ferocious cats which roam the jungles, often stalking their prey. Tragically, the lore surrounding these giant cats is not so idyllic any more. Over the past century the tiger population has dropped by 97%. An estimated 3200 tigers remain in the wild, fewer than those in captivity in U.S. zoos. Most tigers live their lives in concrete jungles, not the jungles of India or Africa. They are gawked at, pictured, followed from one end of the enclosure to another, rather than being the stalker ready to pounce when the time is right.
The tiger has been tamed, domesticated, in a sense. Drew’s contention is we have tried to do the same thing with God. Tame Him. Domesticate Him. Limit Him to our way of thinking. But God won’t be tamed. While He deserves our highest loyalty and reverence, we have attempted to blunt His greatness. We too often spend our lives yawning at God instead of being captured by His greatness.
I really liked Mr. Dyck’s book Generation Ex-Christian so I was drawn to this book by that and also by the subtitle: “You Can’t Tame God, SO STOP TRYING.” I was not disappointed. It caused a dilemma for me. It was so good I wanted to keep reading, even late into the night. But it was so packed with good “stuff” I needed to stop and think some. It also had me thinking, “There has got to be a sermon series in this-one focused on the Majesty of God.” 🙂
I would really recommend you read this book. Carry a highlighter with you when you do….you’re going to need it. But the most important thing you will need is an open mind and heart as you catch a glimpse, not of a tame God, but a wild restless One who moves us and draws us into a life of adventure.
I bought this book on my own and was not asked to do a review.
For a look at my Sunday sermon, check out my other blog.
Sounds like a good one
It was
I will check it out and let you know.
Please do
Trouble is, there isn’t a one of us who wants to focus on the Majesty of God.
There’s not a one of us who can get past the first Commandment without blowing it. That’s the truth of it.
Jesus is on to us. he knows what we are all about. and YET He still loves us.
Yawn at that! (and most of us do).
I never give thought to taming, domesticating or limiting God. I remain open minded to even a glimpse of evidence whether tame or wild.
On the other hand I do think followers of God need to be tamed and domesticated. We can’t have people doing whatever they think God wants them to do. Denying their children health care because God will heal them? Denying people equal rights because God says they have a bad lifestyle? Taking land from someone because God says it belongs to someone else?
It’s not God that needs domesticated. It’s the followers of a God.
We are not to expect God to think and act like us but expect God to help us think and act like Him. Anytime our thoughts start with us instead of Him we are in danger of trying to bring Him into our box instead of us getting into His box. It’s almost a laughable thought to think we can tame God, the creator of the universe, what did we ever tame, we work at taming our mouth and fail often. That’s exactly what they tried to do when they hung Jesus on the cross and buried Him in a tomb, thinking he would rot like all other bodies. That same power that allowed Himself to be even put on that cross, him the creator of the very tree that the cross was taken from, that same power rose again and lives within those of us who believe today. He lives in us to tame us so we can be used for His glory. Ok need to get this book, just reading your post and thinking these thoughts has made me full this morning, yes that power lives inside of me…
What you say is a gold mine Betty! I like especially your first two lines. Well said comment.
It sounds amazing, I’ll check it out, thanks, Bill.
Welcome Floyd. I think you will like it.
Adding it to my list! Thank you!
is that good? I keep adding books to your list Deb. 🙂
It sounds like a book I’d be interested in. For some reason my reading has really slowed down lately, maybe its because I’m writing more. I’ve got several books I need to get read before I can add anything to my list.