Mere Christianity – C. S. Lewis (1952)
The saying, ‘Playing God with other people’s lives’ comes to mind when I first read this, but if this is to be believed, and if there is a God then this is not such a good thing to do.
It seems that being accused of playing at being God to try and prevent someone from making a mistake, or wanting them to do something because it will keep them out or danger, or telling them how to do something, maybe to save them time or heartache, misery, or suffering, was never on God’s agenda in the first place.
The whole ethos of some of the stories in the bible is all about how God, in His mercy shows how good he is by accepting sinners, rejoicing in the return of prodigal sons, and forgiving those that repent … more over than those that follow his every word.
It is akin to the perpetual naughty child doing anything to get the attention of a father. The more it does to cause upsets the more time, energy and money is lavished in trying to bring it back to being a good citizen and devoted offspring, someone the parents can be proud of. However, whilst all this is happening the ones that tow-the-line, don’t get into trouble, do okay at school and are no bother are the ones that miss-out on so much and through no fault of their own.