The God Card

Ok, I'm sure we're all familiar with it. Whether it is a girl telling you that she is dating Jesus or that she needs to spend more time with God as a reason why she will not date you or if someone tries to guilt you into doing something because God is telling them that you should help them with whatever it is, no doubt at some point we've all had someone pull the God card on us. And what can you do? Do you know for sure that they are wrong? Hardly ever, and if you think that they are, do you call them out for trying to use the name of God to accomplish their own wishes? Unfortunately, it's not a fun situation to be in.

The other day I got a little upset at someone pulling the God card on me. The card that trumps even four of a kind and can be used even if it opposes reason or logic. So, it all started when there was a question regarding a certain item that a church ministry group was using that I (and others) did not think belonged to them legitimately. Of course, at first the person that I needed to talk to was not there to answer my questions, but I could come by the office the next day to inquire with the proper authority. So, because we are all "Christians" I could let them take the item and everything would be ok to discuss the next day. Surprisingly (I wish I could say I was actually surprised), when myself and another guy stopped by to inquire about the object, the identifying mark that was the point of contention the other day had astonishingly disappeared. When this concern was raised with the proper "authority" who served as the leader of this "Christian" group, he began with the good old "we're all Christians here" statement. Then, the fact that an identifying mark that had been on the machine this group had had for five years (so they said) miracuously disappeared within three days from the time when it was brought to their attention. But, alas, we're all Christians, and so there is no reason that I shouldn't trust them and believe their stories. And then of course I am the evil heathen when I begin writing down all the other identifying marks that might help lead to any type of conclusion as to who bought this item and where it came from. How "unChristian" of me to not trust them and try and get them to sign that the serial numbers I am writing are the ones that are actually there so that when I come back the next time and they are missing too there can't be the excuse that what I had written wasn't what was actually there. Christians have to trust one another.

Anyways, I still don't know what exactly happened and how the item came into their possession, but there's no real point to concern myself with it right now. I just really can't stand it when people pull in the name of God and use that as the only excuse for something. Trust is not something that is given just because the person says that they believe the same thing you do. It is earned. If God is telling you something or leading you somehow, there is some way that you know it. I am tired of people blaspheming the name of God by using it to get the things that they want. And it's not only in Africa that this happens. I was actually talking with a Ugandan just before all of this about the different ways some pastors in the States do similar things. The Bible is always talking of false teachers leading people astray. Test the spirits, ask questions of those in authority. But ultimately, ask God. God chooses not to always follow human reason and logic but rather chooses the foolish things to shame the wise and the weak things to shame the strong. But He also reveals himself to us in different ways so that our paths can be straight and we won't fall away.

Sorry if this is too long or if it leaves you asking what I'm talking about. I left out a lot of details but I hope the point translates. And I hope to soon be adding a few pictures, so keep checking in.