God has every right to be an egomaniac.
He is, after all, a pretty big deal.
I suppose God taking the credit for every good thing is sort of like a 7-foot-tall basketball player saying, “I’m tall. I’m so tall. Did you know I’m very, very tall? Look how tall I am!”
Yeah, we got it!
But He doesn’t seem to need an audience, and although he deserves kudos, He rarely demands it.
Consider Jesus’s first public miracle, the wedding at Cana, where He turned water into wine. In many ways, it was His big coming-out party. But if you read the text closely, you’ll notice Jesus doesn’t get the credit. It says that the master of the banquet didn’t know where the delicious wine came from, but he praises the bridegroom. We are told that only the servants who had drawn the water knew what happened and who was responsible. Of course, we could add Mary to the list, as she was the one who asked Jesus to help, and John tells us that the disciples began to believe in Him, so we can assume they got clued in at some point.
But Jesus never stood up and said, “Excuse me, I’m sorry, but it was actually me. I was the one responsible for that amazing wine. Believe it or not, I made it out of water. Pretty good, huh? You’re welcome.”
Why didn’t He claim credit?
He had his reasons. He always does. Sometimes they are beyond our capacity to understand.
I’m pretty sure I never read it in the Bible (embroidered on a pillow, perhaps?), but it seems true: “Coincidences are God’s way of remaining anonymous.”
God appears perfectly fine remaining anonymous.
It feels like a missed opportunity to me. 🤷🏻♂️
After all, we sure are quick to blame Him when disaster strikes and things don’t go the way we’d hoped. But what about the times when He silently orchestrates seemingly random events, chance meetings, and “coincidences” that change our lives for the better? And what about all the falls, accidents, and disasters that didn’t happen because He allowed our Guardian Angel to intervene on our behalf?
It seems like it would help His cause if He were more forthright in reminding us of His assistance. I wonder how our faith lives would change if He gave a nightly sit rep on His interventions:
This morning, I whispered in your ear to look up from your phone so you’d notice that hole in the sidewalk in enough time to avoid it.
This person you met today is going to become a lifelong friend and be there when everyone else abandons you.
I kept you on the tarmac while the plane was being de-iced to make sure you’d avoid the fiery crash that would have happened on the interstate.
I know you’re mad about the tree that landed on your car, but I had an angel keep one from falling into your child’s bedroom.
Oh, and the insurance adjuster you’ll meet when you go to get your car fixed tomorrow desperately needs to hear something you’ll say when you’re engaging in what seems to be nothing more than small talk.
To be accurate, there are times when God steps in to set the record straight. Check out the end of the book of Job, when God goes off on Job and starts dropping truth bombs. Here’s just a selection of some of his monologue:
“Where were you when I founded the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its size? Surely you know? Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place? Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about on the bottom of the deep? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if you know it all. Can you raise your voice to the clouds, for them to cover you with a deluge of waters? Can you send forth the lightnings on their way, so that they say to you, “Here we are”? Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars, that he spreads his wings toward the south? Let him who would instruct God give answer!”
In other words:
This really is just the tip of the iceberg of God’s full rant. I highly recommend you read the whole thing. Then, after God drops the mic, Job pretty much wants to die and can only reply:
“Look, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. I have spoken once, I will not reply; twice, but I will do so no more.I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. I have spoken but did not understand; things too marvelous for me, which I did not know. Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.”
The last few chapters of Job are perfect when I forget what God has done, is capable of, and isn’t operating the way I think He should.
I need that reminder, because He of often hides in anonymity.
In the absence of God taking credit, we’re quick to rush in and steal it.
How often do we credit our success to our bright ideas, brilliant plans, hard work, and wise decisions? How often do we think we know better than God, questioning His methods and pointing fingers of blame?
The answer? Often.
I don’t know why God is happy to remain anonymous so often. I don’t know why He does so much in secret.
But I do know it’s good for me to remind myself of all the good that God has done in my life.
That He’s given me more blessings than I can count and saved the day more than I realize.
And that God’s ways are so far above my own.
After all, He’s very, very tall.
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