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             Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice, (Psalm 95:6-7)

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” (I Kings 18:21)

We all naturally want to step into God’s place, and we naturally resist any claim of godhood by anyone or anything else. We are like children who need to learn not only that we aren’t in charge but that the rules (which apply to us, too) are at least sometimes there for our benefit. Most of us grow beyond self-as-god at least in part, but the drive remains partly because we know there is a God of some sort- something that makes it all make sense. Even those who claim that nothing makes sense deify senselessness. What makes sense to them is that nothing has any meaning or makes any sense.

We can get all theological and practice our good Sunday School answers, but when it comes down to it, a “god” is who or whatever establishes the rules. Our god need not be a person or being at all. It can be a philosophy, ourselves, or a hatpin. Religion or philosophy are, in effect, our understanding of and working within the rules established by that god.

These definitions are simple or possibly simplistic, but we tend to get stuck on the notions of gods and religions, usually to elevate our self-image.  Atheists are bound and determined that there is no god that they can’t see what has become their alternative. Those who claim to follow a specific God will likely be scandalized to realize how much other things have stepped into the role.

Today’s first passage calls on us to acknowledge God. The second passage tells us to actively choose not only which god, but which one fulfills the qualifications best – whichever god wins the battle for godhood being the one we should acknowledge. It’s obvious which god we are likely to claim wins, but the challenge in putting them together is to be more aware of who or what we are considering God at a given moment and consciously choose which to serve.  Will we seek the approval of God or of some person? Of God, or that thing we’re tempted to consume?

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