Instapundit I am not. I responded to a comment 8 days later. Just putting this here since otherwise the only way to know is the little number in parenthesis. I will respond to all comments (well, not the comment spam I’m already seeing a little of - “So, you have Viagra for a great price, huh? How exactly does that relate to free will?”), it just might take me a while.

There have been quite a few times in my life when I pleaded with God, “Please, just let me know you are really there, and I’ll be able to serve you so much better.” Or, in lower moments, “Just show me a sign, and I’ll believe in you.”

The reason these requests are fruitless is due to an absolutely critical distinction: what is God’s purpose with us?

I am competitive, often more so than I should be, as I lose sight of what is truly important in pursuit of one goal: to win. And when I asked the above questions, I was projecting that “must win” attitude on God. I wasn’t giving enough credit to God - in my mind, God thought “Ok guys, now just everybody admit that Christianity is right, and ditch all your pagan beliefs, and acknowledge I’m God, and we’ll be done, ok? Until then, deal with this sucky world, and good luck to ya.”

But God’s purpose is not to gain everyone’s approval and (possibly grudging) respect. His purpose is to be our God, our friend, our first love. And developing a real relationship doesn’t happen through shows of force. He might use a show of force to get our attention, but he doesn’t play puppeteer, pulling all our strings to “win” in the end. Neither is he hands off. He speaks to us that we might love him, and follow him - not just acknowledge his presence and hugeness. Jesus related a story about a man sent to a place without God there to interpose on his affairs. Of course, once he got there, it didn’t seem so great. The last part shows that a big miracle won’t accomplish God’s purpose with us.

“He answered, `Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

`No, father Abraham,’ he said, `but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

“He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16:27-31)

They would, of course, be convinced that something crazy was going on. Did they take too many sleeping pills last night? But their hearts would not be softened. The reverse of the following would be true…

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:16)