Twenty years ago, in April of 1993, Time magazine reported that many Americans (presumably, one might imagine, the more sophisticated and discerning ones) were abandoning the time-tested foundations, precepts, and doctrines of traditional Biblical Christianity and had begun, as the magazine put it, "shopping for a custom-made God".
Apparently, a "new" and more fashionable and trendy faith was emergent on the American scene.
The search was on for a god more suited to the "felt needs" of the population, a god more in line with and attuned to the fast-changing, progressive lifestyles of the people….a friendlier god much more willing and able to cater to each individual's tastes and fancies. The search was on for a perpetually smiling cheerleader deity dedicated and committed to approving each and every moral and ethical leaning no matter what, a tolerant god of good will and good intentions whose sole purpose would be to boost everyone's Self-Esteem. The search was on for an non-threatening, always-affirming, psychotherapeutic-god who would listen quietly to our wants and needs, nod and jot down notes from time to time and settle our disturbed emotions until everything was "all better".
The phenomenon is nothing new. Jesus, after all, did warn his Bride about the tares among the wheat1 and the wolves among the sheep2. And, of course, the epistles of John, Paul, Peter and James re-enforced the Lord's teaching to beware.
The "shopping for the custom-made god" goes on today just as it has always done before3, and we ought not be surprised…..nor should we be simply passive and dumbly silent in its most predictable presence.
And who puts his faith in us.
One who meets our expectations….
THAT's the God that WE require!
Yes, a puppy we can school.
We can scold and overrule.
Who just wags and never bites.
We require it!……And that's FINAL!
One who'll curl up at our feet.
One who heels and begs and sits….
Who won't bother us a bit.
And will eat treats from our hand.
To our sins or cause us shame.
Yes, a good god in our debt.
Lord, how easily we are led astray. Please help us recognize the foolishness of our misguided ways. Help us to see and to confess this sin of Pride within us. Indeed, help us to recognize why You came to dwell among us…and why You so graciously offered yourself, Son of God and Son of Man, on Calvary. Father, have mercy on us all….