A Vending Machine God

You can get a lot of different things out of vending machines these days. Most often when we think vending machines we think of beverages (sodas, water, hot coffee, etc.) and snack items (candy, gum, lifesavers, peanuts, pretzels, etc.). But vending machines offer a lot more! In Italy, for anywhere between $5 and $8 you can get fresh pizza. At airports in Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, Bergamo and Moscow you will find "Gold to Go" machines where you can buy a few gold bars! Across the U.S., if you looking for, say leeches at 2 AM for your early morning fishing trip - no problem. Just look for a Live Bait vending machine which you can find in a number of fishing-friendly states. All this to say ... if you are need of something - there is a good chance you can find it in a vending machine somewhere.

Now there's nothing wrong about this retail approach to selling goods that the public wants to buy. I for one have been glad to find a coffee vending machine when I was nowhere near a Starbucks or a McDonalds. But we must be careful that we do not allow our fondness of vending machines impact our view of God. I say this, because far too many do. As they think of God they see him as the "Ultimate Vending Machine." God is there to grant my every request. All I have to do is make a deposit (i.e. - a prayer) and voila ... there's my answer! In his book, The Papa Prayer, Larry Crabb warns against this false view of God:

"The most common image of God that we don't admit to but still hold is akin to Santa Claus or to a smiling buddy, with this difference: you don't have to relate to a vending machine. Just put in the coins and collect your treat. I wonder how much of our worship and declarations of love for God express the same sentiment felt by a satisfied consumer walking away from a vending machine, biting into his Snickers candy bar. We pray right. It works. The parking lot opened up. The lump disappeared. The new job came along. Let's pray more. Let's insert more coins. God is good." (The Papa Prayer, p. 107)

Is this how you view God? (be honest!). Is he merely the Ultimate Vending Machine upstairs? If so ... let me encourage you to get into the Bible and seek the answer to this question: "What is God really like?" You may want to start by reading Isaiah 40:1-31; Revelation 1:10-18; or any one of the four gospels (for to see Jesus is to see the Father - John 14:9).

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj