Vending Machine Prayer

In a recent English class, my peers questioned me regarding my lifestyle and faith. During this conversation, I clarified my view of God: Oftentimes, people view God as some heavenly vending machine. They deposit a few prayers, punch in a request, and retrieve their answered prayer. When nothing comes out of the machine, they kick and punch it until their knuckles break. Angry about what they are tempted to label God’s “inconsistency,” they beg all of their muscular friends to shake it, hoping that something might fall out. When none of their efforts succeed, they walk away feeling cheated and doubting God’s faithfulness. Unfortunately, many people hold this greedy perception of Christianity as their own.

As Christians, we must place God at the center of everything. The term “Christian” only came to exist because the disciples resembled Christ while preaching in Antioch (Acts 11:26, NIV). What do we focus on? Do we resemble Christ? So many times preachers preach of what God will do for us, but what about what we will do for Him? According The Message, Romans 3:27-28 tells us, “God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade” (NIV). Our arrogant society exudes a self-sufficient view of life where people refuse the need for a Savior. Unfortunately, this leaves them empty-handed when God plans otherwise. Instead of striving to order our own steps, why don’t we give our lives over to the One who created us in the first place?