Burger King Faith

Do you remember the Burger King slogan "Have it your way."?  A little ketsup (or catsup if you'd prefer), no lettuce, a slice of cheese, but hold the onions.  Perfect! My own custom burger to my liking. 

I was chatting recently with a member of my family about faith and it once again came to me that we (the human race) has pulled up to the take out window of life and attempted to order up a faith of our own liking, a god (with a little "g") who conforms to our wants.  

Tom's order looks like this, "I'll take a little god that will give me what we want but not interfere with my daily life, a god who grades on the curve, a god who will understand that I'm not perfect but better than most, and a god who won't spoil my fun.  Oh, by the way, can I have a side of prosperity and hold the taxes please."

Ann's order looks like this, "I'd like to be a small part of god,  a god that is really just the collective energy of all that is.  You know, me, you, the rocks, and the honey bees.  We're all part of god.  I'll take two orders of karma and one order of reincarnation with a side of harmony."

Kyle's order looks like this, "I'll take a glass of water and hold the god...  he gives me hives!"

Anyway, my point would be?  We've tried to make a god after our own liking and the truth is this:  God is!  God is who he is!  God is One and isn't created by our thoughts and desires.  We are the created ones.  He is the potter and we are the clay.

I had this discussion with a group of high school youth and tried to explain the concept of "truth". We used gravity as an example and it went something like this.  If you don't believe in gravity that's your purgative.  You might even be really sincere in your disbelief of gravity but when you and I go up to the roof and I watch you jump, gravity will show itself to be true.  It just is!  And God, the God of the Bible, the God of all creation is who he is regardless of what you and I want or believe.  Jesus is God wrapped in human flesh even if we want to demote him to just another really great guy who did and said really great things.

Before I finish up, I'd like you to listen to a song that Ivor has written and I want you to try hard to listen to the words.  Let them sink in.  I'll catch you on the flip side :)

There is one way to God and that way is through Jesus Christ.  Don't let anybody fool you.  My friend, God loves you!  I mean really LOVES you and wants you to come home.  He has provided safe harbor, a open gate, and a narrow road.  He has given us his Son.  You won't find peace in your wealth, in your self esteem, in your position, in your pleasure, in your fame, or in your possessions.  As you live from one day to the next, one meal to the next, one vacation to the next, or one goal to the next, I know that if you really think about it, you'll see that it doesn't satisfy.  It's not supposed to! Only God can do that and he wants to!  

I challenge you to take an honest look at your life.  I'll do the same!  Think about the dreams you had when you were young (if you are young then you'll just have to trust me on this).  Think about the things you've bought, the people you've put your trust in, the money in your 401K (if there's any left).  Did they provide what they promised?  

Jesus said "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Ultimately, it will all rust!  Ultimately, we'll all pass from this earth and none of it goes with us.  Do you know HIM?  If you're just living one day to the next I pray that God would draw you near.  I pray that he would open your eyes and your heart.  I know we want it "our way" but be careful.  You might just get what you ask for!  Trust me when I say that his way is the best way...  If you don't believe me, ask HIM.  Ask him to show you the truth.  He's calling us home friends and as they say, there is no place like home!

God bless!  

David