Deism and Experiencing God

 

Four months ago, I was asked, "You are an extraordinary person, how did you come to be?"

Surprised, I told them the story of how God had intervened in my life. I finished by saying that "you have heard about God second hand through this story, but when you leave this place, and you are alone, so there is no chance of being embarrassed in front of each other, ask God to speak to you, and when he does, you  will truly have a decision to make."

A few weeks ago, I was in Columbus Ohio, and an African American porter took my bags up to the fourteenth floor to my hotel room. After she put down my bags, she turned and said, "God told me that you have something to tell me, what is it?"

Taken aback, I told her a few of my many encounters with God and she burst into tears. 

"I have been running from God for the last three years."

"In that case, if God has reached out to your in such a special way then if you decide not to run with God, then don't be surprised if he doesn't speak to you again for a long time."

"Why?"

"Because God doesn't like to be taken to be a fool. If he has respected you by reaching out in this way then don't be surprised.

If you had a boyfriend and he treated you with disrespect, wouldn't you step back?

After all, we are made in His image."

Two weeks ago, I was interviewing a candidate for a job. During the interview, he said, "You're a Christian aren't you?" 

 Realizing God was at work, I put aside the interview and we talked about our experiences with God. As we heard each other's stories, he began to weep.

I said, "God is touching you through the Holy Spirit, what is he saying to you?"

"I have realized that my conception of God is too small."

"In that case, we should pray."

Afterward, I said, "you have been through the most extraordinary job interview in your life, go home and pray about what you should do with your life. Find out what God wants you to do. And if you decide not to work here, I will not be offended."

There is a theological school of thought called "Deism," which holds to the idea that God created the world and then steps back to watch how it turns out.

I think that you can tell that I do not support Deism.

In fact, the bible records how God has intervened in the world's affairs, and he continues to do so today.

Jesus said that he knew what to do because he saw what God was doing and then he joined him in it.

God is at work all around you. Watch carefully and when you see him at work, then drop everything and join him.

If you haven't seen him at work in a long time, you may even be doubting that you can even see if him at work at all. Then pray to God who can make physically blind see, that he may give you spiritual sight.

God speaks

The other day I was recruiting a CEO with several other board members of a Christian organisation.

After three rounds of interviewing the final two candidates, two weeks of deliberations, here we were on the last night of the period in which we had decided that a decision had to be made.

The analysis was exhaustive, every angle had been analysed in fine detail.  But as with many decisions such as this, one ultimately ends up comparing apples with oranges.

Does a visionary outweigh the experienced?  Should polish and eloquence, trump a down to earth street fighter?

I had deliberately left the 64-million dollar question to last, as I realized that there was a diversity of Christian traditions represented around the board.

Nonetheless, this was the eleventh hour and after six ballots, we were tied 6-6.  However, all acknowledged that both were capable of successfully fulfilling the role.

So after a deep breath, I said, "OK everyone, I'm sure we have all prayed about this decision, what has God said to you?

No don't be ashamed if God has said nothing.  God chooses whoever He wills to speak to.  It is no reflection on anyone's character or acceptance in God's eyes as to who He decides to speak to."

The Dutch Reformers all rolled their eyes, their body language shouting, "OK, here we go, hold on while we go to la-la land!"

Realizing that the others had seen the Dutch Reformers' reaction, I stepped in and said:  "This is a question that goes to the heart of our organization's Special Character, do we believe that God is living and speaks to His children?  Are we not a Christian organisation?  Then let His voice be heard at this table."

Even half of those who were from the Charismatic-Pentacostal traditions, said, "I believe that God gave us brains and facts to work with, in the end, we trust the analysis."  Yet the analysis had not been conclusive.

The remainder said, that despite their analysis suggesting that they should select the other candidate, only one name came to mind when they prayed.  It was the same name that the still small voice had given them all.

Five minutes later another ballot was held and we had a decision, 11-1.

Too often, we Christians rely only on our domain knowledge and common sense to make our life and business decisions.

This is not just true of our own contemporary experiences but is also described in the biblical record.

The prophets chide the kings of Israel for overly relying on alliances with pagan powers for national security, for relying on idols and seers from other cultures and religions for guidance, instead of relying on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Our behavior calls into question whether we truly believe that God is alive, interested in our affairs and is our King.

If we are thoughtful and honest, we will realise that our analysis can only take us so far, but ultimately it is only God who can see into the hearts of humankind and can see around corners.

God speaks.  Be still and hear Him, and then you will know that He is God.

Ensure that it is God and not just confirmation bias.  Don't be ashamed of testing what you hear.  The bible commands you to test all things.  God is truth.  Trust that the cream will rise to the top.

His revelation to you must be objectively evidenced.

If you've never heard from God before and the very idea seems absurd to you, but you are nevertheless intrigued, then the bible has a way forward for you.

It says to seek Him with all your heart, mind and soul; and God promises, that He will be found by you.  So run Him down.  Don't stop chasing Him until you catch Him.  Your pursuit will be successful.