Blaming God

Technorati Tags: Blame, God's Will

 

I thought for sure it was a concept that had died with a certain level of Christian maturity. But apparently not. It became obvious in two events this past weekend. One was at a meeting I attended where we were discussing the craft of writing. One of the persons there used the phrase "God gave you that story", so the implication was, it must be written and shared. The other was at a Bluegrass and Gospel Festival where one group leader was saying that "God gave" one of their members a particular song.

Now, I am not here to say God does or does not "give" these kind of things. I am just saying that once that phrase gets deposited, there is no room for argument. How do you say to someone, that's nice, but it's a lousy song, after they have said "God gave me this song."  Of course, God has never claimed to be in the songwriting business, so indeed it could be a lousy song. But who is going to be the first to say it? He is after all, in the gifting business, and songwriting, liking good writing in general, is undoubtedly a gift.

Perhaps many of us have either said or heard it said, "God is leading me...."; that could be to make a move, open a business, change jobs, start a new church, etc., etc. Then when things do not seem to work out the next thing that is heard is "apparently it was not God's time or God's will." 

Uhm.....

We can be so certain one minute, then be so uncertain the next. Is it because of a lack of trust? A shortfall in the area of patience?  A matter of not listening in the first place? Can we attribute it to our culture's expectation that things should happen "now", not later? Do we try to force the issue and then "blame God" when things don't work out?  Or quit simply because things do not "fall into place" or "doors don't open." I am not certain I know the answer to any of those questions, although I've asked most of them myself.

What I do know is that God's purpose will not be short-circuited. He will get done what He wants to get done, with or without me. I just hope I'm in the right place at the right time - writing the right book, singing the right song, hammering the right nail, driving the right bus, or doing the right whatever. I want to praise Him, not blame Him.