“When we play God, we not only do a poor job of it, but it is always counterproductive. In the same sense, God won’t do for us what we can do for ourselves. And that is where so many of us get stuck spiritually.”- Mark Batterson
Mark Batterson moves on in Chapter 2 of Wild Goose Chase. First, he cites the action-oriented approach to Scripture proposed by Peter Marshall (1902-1949). Marshall served as chaplain of the US Senate from 1947 until his death in 1949. In Mr. Jones, Meet the Master, Marshall wrote:
“I wonder what would happen if we all agreed to read one of the Gospels until we came to a place that told us to do something, then went out to do it, and only after we had done it, begin reading again. There are aspects of the Gospel that are puzzling and difficult to understand. But our problems are not centered around the things we don’t understand, but rather in the things we do understand, the things we could not possibly misunderstand. Our problem is not so much that we don’t know what we should do. We know perfectly well, but we don’t want to do it.”
Hence, Mark underscores, problems ensue when Christianity turns into a noun. Because, the author asserts, Christianity needs to function as a verb. More specifically, an action verb. Thus, in Matthew 25:23 the commendation reads: Well done, good and faithful servant! Not well thought or well said.
In conclusion, the author reiterates that discerning the will of God isn’t an exact science. However, we know that God guides us through the combination of the Holy Spirit and Holy Scripture. If we open His Word, God will speak to us. And when conception of His Word occurs in your spirit, you need to act on it. Put your feet in the river. Mark concludes:
“You know why some of us have never seen God part a river? Because our feet are still firmly planted on dry ground. We’re waiting on God while God is waiting on us.”
Today’s question: What do you find happens to us when we play God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the September Short Meditation, “Hope still walks with the hurting”
