Job argued with God. Moses bargained with Him. Jacob wrestled with Him. Nehemiah changed His mind. What do these amazing stories tell us about God if it isn’t that He wants a relationship with us probably more than we want one with Him. What does it tell us about God if He is willing to be persuaded, cajoled, bargained with and wrestled? It tells us He created us like Him so we could participate in a relationship with Him that means something in terms of integrity. It’s no small thing for God to be swayed by a puny human being, but such is the wonder of His will.
The Psalmist has declared a similar wonder when he wrote, “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you have set in place — what are mortals that you should think of us? For you made us only a little lower than the angels, and you crowned us with glory and honor. You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things—the sheep and the cattle and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents” (Psalms 8:3-8 NLT).
In other words: What’s the big deal here? We’re the big deal. Does this bring us glory? Yes, but that only brings Him more. That He would create us with this much power and authority says a lot about our Creator and what He created us for. He created us with intelligence and emotions. He created us like Him so He could relate to us and we could relate to Him. And He gave us the right to refuse Him, accept Him, argue with Him, badger Him — even tell Him to get lost if that’s what we want to do. Think about that. Even unbelief has integrity. What kind of God would create a being that might not even believe in Him? A God who wants us to join Him for coffee anyway.
John Fischer The Catch 
John, I like your line of reasoning – that God created us to relate to Him, which of course would be impossible were it not for Christ. And then you drop the word integrity into it. I’m not getting the connection. There is something in your mind that you are not expressing. I’m not seeing how integrity relates to this relationship. I know that integrity is indeed involved, but how is it involved? There’s no connection between what you’re talking about and the word integrity. I think you need to make that connection.
Thanks!
I’ll take a stab at this. Putting someone in a position where he has no choice but to do things your way is manipulation. A person of integrity doesn’t manipulate others into doing what he wants them to. God created us, issued the invitation, and now waits for us to respond.
Nice.
Woud like to add after I read today’s Catch, it made my think of there is no other word for grace, then amazing! What a great, loving and mercful God we serve! 🙂
Ever had a conversation with a 4-year-old? I love chatting with my little neighbor, Maya. I listen to her stories, comment on her ideas and try to follow her reasoning. I let her take the lead in where our conversation goes and interject new ideas or paths for us to explore, and I share tidbits and facts appropriate for her level of understanding along the way. Is this so different than the conversations we have with God, other than WE are the 4-year-old? I delight in these times with my little friend, just as God delights in His time with us.
wanted to say thx Carole in Midland 4 your comments – i throughly enjoy reading them! 🙂
What kind of God would create a being that might not even believe in Him? A God who wants us to join Him for coffee anyway. Interesting concept John…these words have got me thinking….
John, whenever I hear the words of Psalms 8:3-8 I can’t help think of the beautiful hymn The Majesty and Glory of Your Name. Since I’ve been a choir member most of my life this is one of my favorites. I found this on You Tube for your listening pleasure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfaQ8qoCUaA
Even the Bible, with its myriad layers of meaning and those delightful paradoxes and seeming contradictions that make you go “hmm” (or more often, “huh?”), is God’s way of keeping the conversation going. I can’t count the number of times I’ve gotten hung up on a phrase or a reference and said, “alright, Lord, what are You talking about?” And it’s amazing how He explains things — and invites more questions.