What if...we could only use "The God Card" once a year?

For several months I have been studying and reflecting on an issue that I hope I will be able to convey in a positive, yet enlightening way. This journey I am on has stopped here for a moment and once I say it and express it - I'll move on and not bring it up again. You may regret I brought it up this time.

The "God Card"... what is that...?

Well, it is ...

"God told me.." I think when it comes to using it in the context of "God told me we..." it should only be used once a year - so make it a good one. Just my opinion - just my journey.

No problem if the wording is, "God has been speaking to me about this pertaining to me personally..." No problem - in that, I am a spectator - time will tell if that was God speaking to you - I don't need to judge or challenge that at all - bless you - I am glad God is speaking to you.

But when you say, "God is telling me you should - or, God is telling me we should..." now it puts us in a quandry - a pickle - between a rock and a hard place. And if you are a leader and saying it - here is what happens...

We are raised, and we raise our children, to respect authority. And now we have taught our people in the church on "Submission and Authority" so listening to a leader is taken seriously.

Just a side note - I get uncomfortable with a leader who specifically wants someone to come in and teach his people on Submission and Authority. I feel sometimes it is another way of saying, "Can you just get these people to do what I want without questioning me?"

A good, honest, transparent, Godly leader should not feel so compelled to teach the subject - or at least, not much. People don't have trouble following someone they know loves them and has earned their trust - they can express their opinion - they are valued.

Back to " The God Card"...

So when you say,"God told me you should, or God told me we should - I have a couple things I have to consider -

Either I have to question whether you heard from God, (which will challenge your authority - which I have been trained not to do), or if I don't agree with what you say God told you, now I find myself perhaps "going against God." There is no "wiggle room" here, if you know what I mean...

Sometimes when I am driving in my van by myself, I've said to the Lord, "Man, Lord, people sure say that you told them to do so many things and tell us to do many things - I know there is only one of you, but so many of the things being said don't match - I know there are not 10 of you...I guess when we all get to heaven, you will let us know how much of this was truly you... and I wonder, Lord, in the Old Testament, prophets got stoned if the words they said were from you did not come to pass - I could start saving some stones, but I don't think this is quite what you have in mind in the New Testament." Sorry, Lord, here I go again... me with all my questions."

Story...

A young man is volunteering at a church and keeps getting asked to join the worship team. Asked a lot. Although he appreciates being asked, he really does not have a desire or feels in his heart that is something he needs to be doing.

Then it happens - the pastor takes him aside and pulls out "The God Card."

"I feel God is telling me you should join the worship team."

Now this young man has a decision. He has been taught to respect authority. This is a pastor. Is this God speaking? Is this the leader? What to do?

The young man replied in a very calm way, "Although I appreciate that you want me on the worship team, if that were the Lord, it would confirm something I have in my heart - I don't have that in my heart - so I will need to say no. But if I sense something differently, I will let you know."

What do you think? Did he do the right thing?

I asked my husband something the other day. He does not see my notes until I post them. And he does not know what subject I am writing about until he reads it on a note. I know, this is scary - he is soooo "out there" with me as I am on this journey.

So...I asked him..."Hon, I don't ever recall when we pastored, you ever saying to people, "God told me you should, or God told me we should, or God is saying this and God is saying that... why is that?"

Silence - and then he said...

"God told me not to."