“I’m coming to realize that life is art. There are no formulas, no dot-to-dot paintings that we can follow to guarantee a beautiful life. No heresy has been more sin inspired than belief in formulas: do this and God will bless, in this way. Formulas put us in control and reduce God to a vending machine. Everything that’s wrong with me loves that idea.”
Larry Crabb, Real Church, p. 103
Somedays, I wish life was formula. It would be easier that way. Often, I wish God was a vending machine: I do X,Y & Z, and He does what I want Him to do.
But, I don’t think it works like that. Sigh.
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I have a problem with the “vending machine” view too. In Matthew 21:18-21, Jesus sort of spells out your formula to X + Y = Z. X = believing, Y = ask for anything you want, and Z = you shall receive.
When Jesus says “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer”, He kind of sets up how the ‘vending machine’ works.
I don’t think it works that way though.
Once a local preacher came to my door during what I have dubbed “The Job” period of my life. Spiritually and emotionally, I was hurting and just making it through the day with my faith somewhat in tact was my only goal. Just don’t curse God today. Not moving mountains, leading people to salvation, just holding on took every ounce of energy.
So the preacher came to my door asked if I went to church and gave me less than one second to say uhh, well…he jumped in with the 4 pillars of the christian faith. Explaining to me that in order for me to be a christian and have a personal relationship with Jesus I must:
1. Pray
2. Read my Bible
3. Attend a Church service
4. Tell others about Jesus
And I really wish it were that easy. While I wholeheartedly believe in those disciplines, at that point, I was growing close to God through suffering. Everyday as I got close to the point where I was about to lose it, no formula or “4 pillars” were as powerful as these words from Mother Teresa, “God has chosen you to be like His Son. Therefore, you will suffer much.”. And though I love reading my bible, praying, be a part of the church, and spreading the gospel, I learned through my Job experience that God is always there, working, loving me despite my compliance with some formula or discipline to ensure an end result.
I think the statement “Everything that’s wrong with me loves that idea” says it all. Fortunately God is more interested in relationship and transformation than He is with filling wish lists and making life easier.