October 19thThe Fear for God
“You’ve got questions? Take the questions to God. God is not fragile; you don’t need to protect God from your big questions. God can handle it – don’t sugarcoat it or walk on eggshells.” I was sitting in a car with a friend about six years ago and verbally processing some of my questions about faith and God and religion and church. I had always had big questions but at that time I was finally unwilling and, I think, unable to keep stuffing them away any longer. The opening of those questioning prayers was nearly always:
“God, I know this is kind of rude, but what about ___________???”
If you’ve asked these kinds of questions before, you know that if I attempt any “answers” here, this will be a Menno Millenium rather than a Menno Minute. If you have never asked these kinds of questions, well, welcome to the rabbit hole.
Especially following Thanksgiving weekend, I am reminded that I have beloved family members and friends who see it as a sign of respect and love if I argue with them. They ask blunt questions and crave real answers. They want pushback if they’re out of line, they want to know that I care enough about them to seriously consider what they’re saying. If they cross a boundary, am I willing to stick my neck out to keep them in check? They don’t seek aggression, they’re after real – authentic – interactions without niceties or pretence.
This all reminds me of how Israel does’t mean ‘understands God’ or ‘God’s favourite’ or even ‘Chosen people’. Israel’s name is ‘wrestles with God’. Wrestling is full contact; we can trust that God is not fragile. We do not need to fear for God; on behalf of God. God is God, let’s ask away, wrestle. Jesus, in whom God is most completely revealed, is vulnerable and human but not fragile or delicate. We can explore faith that is fit for real life. Ask. Knock. Seek. Pass the mashed potatoes and pose the loving family questions at the gathered table. Let God be God. God can handle the questions.