“Faith built on preference is capable of producing only an incomplete theology.”- Matt Bays
As Matt Bays concludes Chapter 5 of Finding God in the Ruins, he reminds his readers of the Scripture verse printed on the page preceding Chapter 1:
“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.”- Isaiah 45:7 (emphasis author’s)
Matt theorizes people skim past or ignore passages like Isaiah 45:7 because they prefer “celebration to suffering, resurrection to crucifixion.” This is a faith built on preference.
Pastor Bays stresses the importance of honestly crying out to God in our anger, resentment, rage- even disrespect, trusting that God will love, accept, and forgive us. When we can come to this honest place with God, we will feel the sharp edges of our pain softening.
Job and David were honest with God- and probably afraid as well. But, Matt observes, they weren’t so scared they were unable to tell God exactly what they though. Kara, a violinist at Matt’s church, expresses her understanding of an honest relationship with God:
“All of the good in my life has had a contrast, and that contrast is where I learn the great life lessons. So when the contrast comes, I plop myself down in the middle of the pain, frustration, or unmet expectations and I wait on God. When he shows up, I begin working to hear his still small voice so that I will know what he is trying to teach me.”
Today’s question (from Matt): If God pulled up a chair before you, looked directly into your eyes, and asked you to tell him the truth about how you feel (or have felt) about him, would you feel secure enough to be brutally honest? If so, what would you say?
Tomorrow’s blog: “The comfort of God”
