The God Who Didn't Show Up

The day God didn't show up was spectacularly uneventful. In fact, it would be difficult to even call it a "day." You would think that in such an event the world would break into chaos...but it didn't. In fact, the day God didn't show up was probably the most anti-climactic day ever. There wasn't a single relationship that experienced strife or discord that day nor a heart that felt the inexplicable pain of loss. No tears, fears or disappointments rocked the emotions of a single person. Peace and quiet are the only words to describe that day. Why would this be? Because the day God didn't show up was the day that everything ceased to exist.

Maybe I'm just finally starting to engage with the world around me but it would seem to me that when speaking of God there has been an increase in the usage of the phrasal verb, "showed up." I often hear Christians say, "God, we need you to show up" or "Guys, God really showed up big time."  You may be thinking, "It's just a modern English expression to communicate that God met us in a time of need! Aren't you over reacting by writing a blog post about it? Seriously, someone needs more to do with their time..."

Probably, but never the less you are here scrolling through my blog where I get the freedom to rant. So move on if you'd like but stick around if you are looking for a controversial conversation starter to use at dinner this evening.

I propose that using this idiom in reference to God goes against Scripture and demeans God to the place of a demi-god or super hero.

I was raised to be a girly girl. Superman existed in my vocabulary but had you asked me anything further than his name I would have rolled my eyes and moved the conversation on to Pride & Prejudice. However, marriage changes things and my husband's introduction of Marvel to my life has caused me to become slightly obsessed with the super hero scene. We all know the plot: Problem bad guys + Super hero shows up = World saved. The super hero's incredible feats always come just as everyone is crying out for a power greater than themselves. Up until that point these heroes were either working their normal office jobs or sitting around on top of a building disguised with bat ears and a cape just waiting to be needed. Need I say, this is not our God. God is not going about his day, busily taking care of world affairs, when suddenly he hears a cry and "da dada da!!" he shows up to help. When the Israelites came to the Red Sea God was not scanning the earth waiting to show up and save the day. And in the moments where things go awry God certainly did not deny coming because He didn't feel like showing up. I will repeat it again, this is not our God. You may say,"Well, I know that, but wouldn't you say that God showed off His power in a uniquely spectacular ways at the Red Sea? That's what I mean by "showed up!" Again I disagree. Scripture is overflowing with passages which refute this idea, but for the sake of time I will simply address a few.

 

1. There is Never a Moment When God is Not Present

To use the phrase, "God showed up" directly communicates that God is not present at all times. This is heresy. Jeremiah 23:24 states, "Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord." These are rhetorical questions that need no answer. Psalm 139:7-10 goes on to validate this doctrine further, "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." This is just a taste of God's Word which promises that we are held in His hand, under His protection and surrounded by His power at every moment of our existence. There is no need for Him to show up. He is already here.

2. The Opposite of Showing Up is Not Showing Up

Chill...I know that was a "duh" statement but I'm cutting to the chase. A second reason why this phrase should be labeled heretical is because it indicates that it is only in the moments in which He "shows up" that He is actively utilizing His power. Oh friends, if this is our view of God what twisted lies we have believed. Colossians 1:16-17 says, "For by him (Jesus) all things were created, in heaven and on earth...He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Scripture is clear that the triune God holds all things together. If for one moment God ceased to show up we would cease to exist. You woke up this morning because from eternity past God has shown up. You just drew that breath because God is ever present and gave it to you. The sun shines, the breeze blows, the rain falls because God will never for a moment cease to show up. Every bit of this world, life, and universe exists because at every moment God is actively at work with incomprehensible power. If we fail to see this as God's presence then we have brought God to a human level and have taken far too much personal credit for our existence. 

3. Our God is Above All gods

This morning I was reading Psalm 135 and it seemed to perfectly dove tail with this topic that was burrowing a hole in my brain. I encourage you to read through it in it's entirety but if I could sum up the passage in a nutshell it would be this: Understand that God is so far beyond you that you will never be able to fully comprehend Him. Understand that the One True God is above all other powers, dominions, and gods. If you have accepted Christ's sacrifice on your behalf, then understand that this same God humbled Himself and chose to have an unfathomably powerful, every present relationship with you. Finally, stop bringing Him down to your level and praise Him for being too wonderful to comprehend.

 

Friends, may I be so bold as to suggest that the next time you start to petition God to "show up" you must repent? Turn from your finite thinking and approach the ever present God Who has not stopped thinking about you from eternity past and will not stop thinking about you through eternity future. This is our Omnipresent God.