Tuesday, September 1, 2009

audacious


rant:

what gives you the right to speak for God?

it seems to me (and maybe it's just me) that some people take liberties when speaking on behalf of God - they claim: "this is the will of God." and who am I to disagree?

I hear things like:
- it's God's will that we get married.
- it's God's will that I take this job.
- it's God's will that I go to this church or that.

how far do you take God's will? how specific is this will?
- is it God's will what clothes you put on today?
- is it God's will which restaurant you ate at?
- is it God's will which deodorant you use?

now, these may seem laughable, but is there a difference? how far does this go?

some, in the name of God's will have killed.
some, in the name of God's will have raped.
some, in the name of God's will have done absolutely atrocious things.

what gives you the right to speak for God?

how do you know what God's will is?

be careful when you're using God as your excuse for those decisions you make.

I think God is more concerned with our hearts (cheezy - but I believe to be true allthesame) and attitudes. these leads to our actions and our decisions.

- be joyful, regardless of circumstance
- pray, regardless of circumstance
- be thankful, regardless of circumstance

but you and I both know you don't have to listen to me. afterall, who am I to speak for God?

5 comments:

The Unwelcome Guest said...

I'm confused. How can you write this and continue to be a pastor? People look to you for teaching, guidance, instruction. When you stand up there and hold your Bible and pour out your heart (or however you want to define it), you're speaking for God, are you not?

I'm not disagreeing with this post -- it's 100% spot on, as far as I'm concerned. But I'm honestly perplexed by how you can write this and not feel any qualms about what you do for a living.

Tyson said...

I purposely pushed this one a little further than comfortable.

I live in a constant state of limbo. My humanity is so close at hand and yet I have this deep desire within to share Jesus.

I have no authority on my own. I cautiously approach how I communicate (or at least I try to) to the point where it sickens me that I would be entrusted to do so.

I believe the Bible is God-inspired and thus is paramount in how I communicate.

I do not pretend to be God. I don't want to be God.

Confusing, I know. I live in this daily.

Anonymous said...

I think I get what you're saying and it can be interpreted in weird ways, much like anything Biblical can and has been. What I get of what you're saying is keep your heart right with God and you will be guided towards his will, but be careful to speak of God's will for your actions if your heart is not right with God.

canadianhumility said...

I appreciate this post a great deal.

I want people to know that they are inherently distant from God - that nothing they do or say can possibly reflect something like God, supposing he exists. They certainly cannot speak for Him. I think this is very important to keep in mind.

And I think they have to stop pretending that the Bible is speaking for God too. It is far too human in construct.

I suppose one cannot deny that they Bible is God-inspired. In the same way that the Crusades were God-inspired.

I would like to know what it is like to keep one's heart right with God. I don't think it is possible. If it is, I don't think I am interested in doing it - because I do not trust his "will" enough. I don't even have trust in his existence as anything more than an idea. And ultimately, even if we can find some sufficiently convincing evidence to lead us to believe that our heart is "right with God", I don't think we have the right to say that we speak on his behalf.

I don't know if God has a heart. Humans do.

Tyson said...

to my friend, canadianhumility,

we see things similar at times, and we see them different at others.

you see, I want people to know that they are inherently closer to God than they think. I also believe that many things they do and say reflect God.

I personally enjoyed (cough, cough) your equating the inspiration of the Bible to the inspiration of the crusades.

I would also like to know what it is like to keep one's heart right with God. I too believe it is impossible, though that does not deter me from pursuing it.

I'm sorry you don't trust.