My Pocket God

…How long will you waver between two opinions?  If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. (1 Kings 18:21)

How many of you know someone who is wavering between the One true God and a god of this world?  I happen to know quite a few and I love each opportunity I have to share the Truth of who the real God is.  There is only One who can save those who are dying daily.  There is only One who can stand the test of time and only One who does not demand our good deeds to make it to Heaven.  God Almighty is the only One who is living and active in our lives.  We pray to someone who lives today, who lived long before us, and whose presence we will still enjoy when we leave this earth.  There is no other religion that can claim a Living God, who sent a living sacrifice for our sins.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

This is the God of Elijah, the one who decided to battle the prophets of Baal.  He went up to Mount Carmel ready to fight for the Living God.  He was ready to defend God’s honor.  I watch this scenario play out in my own life fairly often, as my God is put to the test.  There truly is nothing new under the sun, as the fight between man made gods and the eternal God continues to be fought daily.

In fact, the other day I had an interesting conversation with someone.  I went to get a pedicure at the nail salon I have been going to since I moved to Florida.  I love going for my pedicure because I get to talk to my Buddhist friends.  This is an amazing opportunity for me to share the Gospel message through my life and sometimes through my words.  God has slowly been making it possible for me to build a relationship with the workers here at this salon.  I’m watching their lives be affected by God through me.  It’s an incredible experience!  Well, this time things heated up a little bit!

Romeo, the manager’s husband walked by and I commented about his tattoo.  He said, “It’s a tattoo of Buddha.  It brings me luck!”  Now please don’t become all hyper-critical about this man because he has a tattoo or because he said the word luck.  God is working in his heart.  It’s fascinating to see what God can do when we leave it up to Him.  In just moments, Romeo said to me, “We pray to the same God.”  I said, “Oh really, Who is that?”  He had to think about that for a moment, as he thought back to our many conversations over the passing months.  Then he came up with the right word, as he said, “We both pray to Jesus.”

It was almost robotic!  Just like the world has taught many to say!  Almost, as if he was saying, “I pray to the Christian God when it’s convenient for me.  I pull my pocket size god out when I need him and then I ask him for what I need.  When I’m done, I place him back in my pocket for the next time.  I take good care of him.”  What?  That’s crazy!  The world has it backwards!  That’s not the kind of relationship we are meant to have with God.  God is awe inspiring, incredible, He is beyond our imagination.  We have made Him into a pocket size genie that fits into our daily schedule out of convenience.  In fact, Romeo went on to say, “I pray to God when the luck runs out.”  That one statement says it all.

Romeo and I were able to talk about this.  He needs your prayers, as his understanding of God is very limited.  He is like many who have fallen into the trap of following the religion their parents taught them.  But when it doesn’t fit, they move on to what society teaches.  Society teaches that all paths lead to the same outcome.  For more information on this read Do All Roads Lead to Rome? So Romeo believes he can have an on and off again relationship with God.  It’s “on” when he needs God and “off” when he doesn’t need Him.

Of course, this isn’t really a relationship.  I mean we don’t treat our friends and family members this way.  If we did, they would not stick around.  Try this with a friend and see how long it works.  If you call a friend just when you need them…  I guarantee you, they will not be there for long.  God does not want to be in a relationship with you out of convenience.  There was nothing convenient about sending His Son to die for you.

Just think if God were small enough to fit in your pocket, He wouldn’t be big enough for your problems.  If God were small enough to fit in your pocket, He would not have enough strength to handle all your needs.  If God were small enough to fit inside your brain, He certainly would not be big enough to come up with all the answers you need.  God needs more space in your life!  He doesn’t want an on and off again relationship.  He deserves every day, all day long.  Are you willing to move some things around in your life and create more space for God?  Let’s be less like the world and more like the One who created us!  The One who had enough space for us to send His Son, enough space to save a spot for us in Heaven, and enough space to love us even when we are undeserving!

Dear Father God, I invite You to invade my life.  I pray that You will help me empty the areas in my life that are taking up space where You belong.  Help me to create more space for You!  May You be the One who has full rights over my life!  Also, I lift up Romeo and Kate tonight.  Please continue to work in their hearts so that one day they accept Your Son.  May they come to know the Truth, as that is the only thing worth living and dying for!  In Jesus Name, Amen

Creating Space for My Redeemer,