The Formula of God

Donald Miller, in his book "Searching for God Knows What" writes

"Some would say formulas are how we interact with God, that going through motions and jumping through hoops are how a person acts out his spirituality. This method of interaction, however, seems odd to me, because if I want to hang out with my friend Tuck, I don't stomp my foot three times, turn around, and say his name over and over like a mantra, lighting candles and getting myself in a certain mood. I just call him. In this way, formulas presuppose God is more a computer or a circus monkey than an intelligent Being. I realize that sounds harsh, but it is true."

I wonder sometimes if we are guilty of putting God in a box. John 4:19-24 recalls a conversation where the woman at the well asks about where she's supposed to go to worship. She's prompty told that location is the least of His worries.

In our journey to understand the Spirituality of 20-somethings, I think we must make sure we're not attaching anything to the message. Making it palpable to this generation requires that we not hold on to traditions just for our own comfort.

Maybe, just maybe, if we lose the formulas and strip it down to its essense, young people today could see a God who Is, and who Loves.