August 16, 2017 – Devotions
Your G-d is Too Small – A Joyless Task Master

I remember a high school classmate who was a good athlete and just a bit of a troublemaker. His family did not belong to a church I was familiar with, like the Lutherans, the Methodists or the “Holy Rollers” (as many called them). In fact I do not even know what church he attended. What I did know was that he was not allowed to partake in Halloween activities, dances or school parties – and I did know that he was not allowed because of his faith. As a kid, it just seemed to me that his church must not have had much joy or happiness among its members or worship services. His G-d must have been a “Joyless Task Master”.

There are those in this world who view G-d as just such a god, one that surrounds people with less life, with less joy, and with less presence in the world. Their god does not allow for spontaneity, for creativity, or for rich experiences in life. In other words, this god they think they know is just a “sad sack”. But of course these people often come to this understanding of G-d by being brought up in such a church, being manipulated by isolating scripture to fit their negative views of life, mimicking the suffocating religious beliefs and practices of those around them. And of course they keep members in their fold because these people feel “special” and “unique” in suffering for G-d. If this is your idea of G-d, then “Your G-d Is Too Small”.

There are plenty of examples of people in the bible who expressed their love and faith in G-d through joy – even dance. Miriam danced when the people crossed through the Red Sea: “Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing.” (Exodus 15:20) and David danced in front of the Ark of the Covenant: So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing; and when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. David danced before the Lord with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.” (2 Samuel 6:12-15)

I am convinced that G-d wants followers to be filled with joy, with spontaneity, and with love. And if those things come out of the follower in song, dance, or even just sitting in a pew and singing, than G-d would rather have joy-filled people than joyless task masters. (Themes come from the book “Your God Is Too Small” by J. B. Phillips)

Pastor Dave