Our former preaching pastor Mike used to say that we are a Costco generation – when we have a need, we don’t have to ask God for help; we get it from Costco.
I find that true of myself.
Have a problem? Google it.
Call Dr. Laura. Get a self-help book. Ask a friend. Post it on Facebook. Find a therapist. Log on to a forum. Join a small group. There is an app for that.
There is an overabundance of resources on every subject imaginable. And they are all good stuff, all very helpful.
But I find that this “Costco” mentality has changed the way I view God. Even as a Christian, I do not expect much supernatural intervention from God. I expect God to work through the usual channels to provide for me, thus I am not actively praying for God’s intervention.
For example, we believe that God works through a doctor to heal us. After a while, we bypass God altogether, save a perfunctory prayer to heal me of the infection when I know perfectly well that it’s the antibiotic that’s going to heal me.
As a Western Christian, I am a pragmatist. Couple that with celebrating the power of the individual and pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, where does that leave God?
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I had breakfast with a friend last week. She is a very insightful therapist, and once in a while, I run situations by her for some “free” advice.
After I described what I was facing, she surprised me by saying, “You have to fast and pray.”
Two weeks ago, I advised another friend to find a good therapist. I just told her to fast and pray, and I will join her.