Jun 27

Written by:
6/27/2011 8:54 PM 

 I just finished a book that I thoroughly enjoyed:  "Angry Conversations with God", by Susan Isaacs. In the book the author, Susan, is an aspiring comedic actress and writer.  After living in New York City and working with a successful Improv group, Susan’s world falls apart when her colleagues receive acting jobs (she doesn’t), she breaks up with her fiancé (who then finds “the one” within the next month), and to top it off, her mother has a stroke which forces her to move back to L.A.  She bears her soul to her friend, Martha, who (lovingly) encourages Susan to read, “The Great Romance,” a book that compares our relationship with God to that of a husband and a wife.  Susan decides that if she is married to God, then she is taking Him to marriage counseling, because clearly the marriage is not working.  I found myself laughing out loud at her conversations with God and the marriage counselor.  Susan is quick to point out that these conversations were obviously with her “image” of God, but the conversations were real, nonetheless.  Sarcastic, raw, and honest, I often remarked how I could have written that book.  (On many occasions Susan says, “Sarcasm is a viable form of communication.”  I believe I could have said that.) 

Eventually, Susan comes to the realization that due to the dysfunctional relationship that she has with God, she has no choice but to divorce God.  Not literally “God” but her image of God.  The events of her life had molded God into a “Drill-Sergeant Father, a wimpy Jesus, and a Drive-By Holy Spirit.”  What a concept--Divorcing God. 

I was asked recently if I was imposing the shortcomings of my earthly parents on my heavenly father. Good question…a valid point…and very convicting.  I know my blogs are read by my parents, so I must insert a disclaimer here and say that my parents are good people.  No finger pointing here.  We’ve all done things to bruise our children’s psyches.  No one is perfect.  (And I have a great therapist, mom and dad, so no worries.  )   

But in all seriousness, we often see things happen in our lives and question God as to why He doesn’t DO something to change things.  But the fact is, as much as He wants to make things different, man keeps screwing it up.  (And that’s the collective “man”…not a slam on the male gender.)  You see we are sinful.  We make mistakes.  We unknowingly hurt people and make choices that have effects not only on us, but often on other people, too.  There are no easy answers to why bad things happen, but I do know that it is not God’s will for any to suffer.  God isn’t wimpy or distant. He loves each of us so dearly, but there are times that all He can do is comfort us.  It’s like when one of our children gets hurt.  We soothe them, we provide first aid, we hug them, and we dry their tears…but none of that will take away the fact that they got hurt.  

So, getting back to divorcing God.  I am challenging myself to really look at my view of God.  Have I made Him out to be distant, aloof, too busy with other things, stingy, cold, or non-communicative?  I admit that I have…many times.  I believe it’s time for me to divorce that god and start building a relationship with whom God truly is.  And, on the flipside, if this relationship is going to work, I have to be honest about whom I am as well.  I’m pretty sure that’s how good marriages work.