Altar Call
Christianity isn’t merely intellectual assent; rather, it is a commitment to a relationship. It isn’t a Jesus admiration society but a nuptial celebration. The seriousness of this decision gives us pause. Unsure if we want to refrain from idolatrous flirting, we are hesitant to commit.
The problem is that we are so focused on what we will have to surrender that we don’t recognize the sacrifices already made by the lover of our souls. Weighed down by the gravity of a potential lifestyle change, we fail to see that God already hit bottom for us. Uncomfortable committing for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, we forget that He was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)
He remains laser-focused despite our wandering eyes. He endures domestic abuse as we spit on Him, beat Him, and ultimately crucify Him; yet, He forgives us with His dying breath. Jesus overlooks our past, present, and future failings and offers us no greater love. What other God reveals His love by proposing to us while we were still philanderers?
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
We are guilty of cruising cultural bars for gods who are okay with open marriages, gods who either look the other way or even endorse divine polyamory. The problem is that when finances fail, cancer afflicts a child, or we face redundancy at work, these gods abandon us. They not only slip away from our spiritual homes under cover of night but also have the audacity to leave behind a dear John letter, blaming us for not thinking enough positive thoughts, being too attached to the world, or carrying too much karmic baggage. Sadly, when the going gets tough, they leave town and become deadbeat gods whose support checks perpetually bounce.
Perhaps we should consider committing to a God who is most present when things are difficult. A God who shares in our sufferings and doesn’t dismiss them. A God who goes all in when our chips are down. A God who came to serve rather than to be served. While it’s essential to count the cost of being a Christian, we must remember that Jesus has already paid the price.
Jesus makes our commitment phobia seem quite trivial by offering no greater love, yet we agonize over the social awkwardness of confessing with our lips that “Jesus is Lord.” Despite our checkered past, God offers us a ring; He already understands our limitations and still desires to spend eternity with us. What will we choose: a heavenly honeymoon with the lover of our souls or a one-night stand with a god who sneaks out in the morning to avoid seeing our bedhead? We have been called to the altar. What will we say? “I do” or “I don’t?”
God's Screenplay 