What Dating site would God prefer for His People? Does He Care? Do you Care?
A comedian joked about the dating sight “Christian Mingle” In their advertisement they tell the Christian that God has done his part, now it is their part. In this they point one to Christian mingle. Com. A comedian joked that if you are so desperate as to wait for Divine intervention in your search for a mate, it is too late! But one must wonder whether God gets involved in these intricate human decisions. Remember the Nigerian pastor who promised women husbands in Nairobi? Did that work?
God has been invoked in everything from democracy, dictatorship, socialism and pastoral ministry. In fact Adolf Hitler thought that he had a divine mandate given that the Jews crucified Christ, to act on God’s behalf to lead the earth off these killers. Can you believe that kind of madness? However, the apostle Paul thought that he was working on behalf of God. His encounter with the Risen Christ on the way to Damascus was on route to execute the pharisaic mandate of eliminating the “new cult” members (Christians). He is quoted in the book of Acts as present during the stoning of Stephen “ . . . And Saul approved of their Killing.” (Acts 8:1) He thought of himself as God’s executioner.
Dualism eliminates the participation of God in the world by arguing that after the Divine created all things, he withdrew from participation. Set things in motion to order their own destiny. Pantheism comes in and involves divinity in all things. They claim that all things are god and god is in all things. Syncretism is more prevalent in Africa today given that the call of peace and stability is seen as more important than exclusion within faith. That is why in Kenya Muslims, Christians, Hindus, African Tribal elders and others are invited to pray in government functions. In other words all faiths lead to God. In America we call that Unitarianism where all paths lead to God. Christianity affirms that Christ is the way the truth and the life: The only way!
A man by the name of Schleiermacher argued that the need for God in man’s activities is as a result of psychological weakness. Man’s sense of mortality and grief leads them to seek God. Therefore God exists only because man needs him! The Bible on the other hand presents God as actively involved in the lives of man. Genesis argues that God used to visit Adam and Eve and would walk around in the Garden of Eden. In fact it is during one of these intimate visits that Adam hides from Him. The Bible is keen to point out that the relationship was such that Adam and God could have a personal conversation. “I heard you walking and I hid.” Adam told God. Why would you hide my son? “Have you eaten of the fruit I told you not to.” This is not a distance relationship. Rather a father – son conversation. (Genesis 3)
The book of Job presents the same relationship. Job got so angry with God and spoke to him as a man. He demanded that God show himself and stand before him as a man to answer some questions. “ . . . Oh that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense – let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown. I would give him an account of my every step.” (Job 30- 31. Quoted 31:35.)
When God answers Job, he comes to his level and demand answers. “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!” (Job 38 2-5.) This exchange is not of a withdrawn God speaking to an irrelevant creature. Rather, it is the conversation between Wana Adam and their father! Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, even Yesu Kristo are presented as sons.
It is this relationship that Christ brought and encourages. That humanity will seek a relationship with their God so close that they can have daily conversations about all things openly and without fear. Whether it is a dating site, children gone wild, places to visit, or people to keep as friends, we can tell God. And the best thing is that he will not judge, but will through the Spirit, guide. The biblical position is clear: God seeks to walk, talk, listen and answer. It is this unique nature that is exclusively Christian: Aba, Father! Go for a walk daily and speak to Him. He is always waiting to listen to your screams, shouts, and needs! Paul calls it, “prayer without ceasing”!
What Dating site would God prefer for His People? Does He Care? Do you Care?
