It's also very popular. The line was nearly to the door and more and more people poured in the entire time we were there on Sunday. As I wolfed my pizza-pie down my face, I couldn't help but wonder why it was so popular? Maybe it's just a novelty that will wear off soon.
I think it has to do with the fact that ultimate control is in the hands of the guy ordering. You basically get to make your pizza anyway you want! We love to be in control and this pizza concept feeds not only the stomach, but also the ego.
But this blog isn't about pizza.
This experience reminds me of something much more important. It has to do with God....or how we "make" God the way we want him to be. It's no longer fashionable to order the God off the Bible menu. Nah, we want to make him according to our own, personal recipe. Sure, we may choose some toppings from the Bible. You know, the stuff like, "God is a God of love" and tasty stuff like that.
But like strong garlic or sardines on our pizza, the idea that God expects something from us in return we can simply do without such nonsense. Yes, God today for most is a god that is made from various teachings, ideas, and the imagination of the beholder. He, she, it, or whatever is just the way we want him, her, or it to be.
This is not a new phenomenon. It's as old as the Bible itself. One of the most beloved characters of the New Testament is John the Baptist. He was a rockstar in his day. People travelled from all over Judea to visit the crazy man dressed in animal skins, eating locust, and screaming to all who would listen, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:2).
John was convinced that his mission was to prepare the way of the Lord so he gave up everything to fulfill his mission. He was certain that he would look directly into the face of God before he died.
Then, one day, it happened. John met the Lord.. Here is the narrative of one gospel writer who recorded the encounter:
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” (John 1)John met the Lord face to face on that day and knew instantly that Christ was God. If anyone was sold out for God it had to be John, right? After all, John gave up his life to follow Jesus.
This is not exactly true. Just a short time after meeting Christ, John sent some of his disciple to ask Jesus, " Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" (Matthew11:2)
I guess Jesus let him down.
John, like the rest of us, had a preconceived view of who he thought God was. He was expecting a liberator, not a suffering servant. He expected a king. He expected Christ to be a lot of things, but when Jesus did not live up to his expectations he questioned whether he was even God.
Sure, we can make a pizza anyway we fancy. God, however, is not made according to our liking. You see, it really doesn't matter what we believe about God. He is. Period. He existed before there were any views about what and who he is and he will exist longer after we walk this earth. God is dependent upon no one or no thing. That's what it means to be God.
So what is your view on God? Do you accept him for who he is or do you insist on re-making him the way you like?
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