Pastor's Corner

What would it be like if there were a store in town that sold shirts? Not just any shirts though. What if they sold one shirt in one design only? Made from the finest quality, but only one fabric choice. One size only–and that was 5X because it had to fit everyone. Sure, it was a little loose on some, but on NFL lineman it fit great. Moreover, the people who bought the shirt spent all their time trying to coerce their acquaintances into buying this particular shirt. That would be awesome, wouldn’t it?

I was asked the other day that if there was one religious misconception that I could reboot in the mind of Christians, what would it be? Just one?! Okay, here it is. The one size fits all God. Followers of this God create carbon copy believers that try to force others into their mold so that they then can be seen as right with God, too. In their defense, it is simpler to follow a religion that makes everyone act the same, dress the same, and regurgitate the same verses. It is easier to see and judge the obedient “in crowd” from those who are not, just as those who bought the 5X shirt on the street are obvious to see and know.

I have become convinced that the God who I know and love also knew me well enough to specifically woo me (as well as you) into that relationship.

God didn’t have a boiler-plate that was to be applied to every human and if they didn’t fit into it then too bad for them.

No, the wooing was distinct for me–and you.

I know this from experience.

When I look back at my life, I am sure that God knew exactly what I would need to understand the love and forgiveness being offered.

And then that which I needed was faithfully given.

Living in this type of faith relationship with this kind of God makes it more difficult for others to judge your faithfulness, but what business is that of theirs anyway?

If God had wanted all those who believe to look the same and wear the same clothes, he could have made that happen.

We would all come from the same culture and be given the same gifts from the Spirit, but we weren’t.

Instead, we are called (or wooed) into a unique relationship with God, who knows us and loves us individually.

In Isaiah 62 and Revelation 2 we are told that God will give each of us a new name from the Lord’s mouth, and no one but the one who gives and receives it will understand it.

This is not the behavior of a one size fits all God.

It is the invitation of a greater, more substantial God–who fashions a custom relationship with every believer.

May you know and be known, love and be loved, by such a God as that.

Dave McCue, pastor

Colfax and St. John United Methodist Churches.