Keith Battle - The God Interview

I’m calling today’s sermon an interview with God, or the «God Interview.» You can phrase it either way that you want. The God Interview consists of instruments I use or systems employed in conversations to determine whether or not an individual is qualified to meet the demands and responsibilities of the available job. Questions are asked to ascertain if this is a good fit for a particular person; it is an evaluation of the individual being interviewed. Think about that. Stick a pin in it: an interview is an evaluation of the person being interviewed. I’m going to say that one more time: any interview is an evaluation of the person being interviewed.

Think about how oxymoronic it is that God would ever get interviewed. The fact that He is interviewed indicates that the interviewer is trying to determine whether or not He is qualified. Whenever you’re doing an interview in the public or private work sector, as the days approach the interview, there’s a great deal of excitement, enthusiasm, and anxiety. There’s anxious energy because this could change the game. This opportunity on the other side of the doors can create fine opportunities; all that is associated with changing my life and changing my work. Will they accept me? Am I good enough? These are all the concerns associated with it. In fact, even people who are close to you ask, «Are you ready? Are you preparing for the interview? What are you going to wear? You know you have to wear something appropriate.» We start giving advice: «You need to get your hair done; you can’t wear it like that because that’s not appropriate for this.» Then, you’re reminded to pull your pants up and that your underwear can’t be showing during the interview.

You know how we talk to people about these things. You also have to be on time. In fact, don’t just be on time—be early. Early is on time, on-time is late, and late is never acceptable. People will determine you’re not worthy of their job even before your interview starts if you show up late. Have you considered traffic? Have you checked that? Are you ready? Do you need a ride? Did anyone drop you off, or can we pick you up? Then, after the interview, other people will be eager to know how it went. Did they hire you? What did they say? There’s so much anxious excitement surrounding an interview.

I brought that up because I believe, in the faith space and in our lives, we often interview God. The questions that I read from Psalm 10:1 and Psalm 13:1 are really interview questions. When Steve gets back, just tell him to turn me down a little in the monitors. These are questions that truly interview God. Listen to these questions: «Why, Lord, have you forsaken me? Why, Lord, are you standing so far away? Why are you hiding when I’m in trouble? How long am I going to have to be in this? How long will you forget me? Why? How long?» These questions are essentially interviewing God.

I can use a flip chart if you have one. I want to do something different. This is significant because the «why» question can paralyze us. If the «why» question was meant solely to seek information, that would lead to a revelation concerning our situation. If you really wanted information, there would be a revelation through your situation, and that would be a fair question. But most of us are not asking for information; we are actually complaining. The «why» attitude questions God’s character: «Do you know what you’re doing up there? Why are you allowing this to happen? Don’t you know how much this hurts? Don’t you know who this was? Don’t you know who this is?»

I guarantee you—I don’t have to ask for a show of hands—there’s someone in here when I ask if you have a question for God, someone wrote, «Why?» Someone wrote, «Why?» and someone wrote, «How long?» I guarantee those were the questions written down! How many can relate to one of those? Oh yeah, you got me on that! What I’m trying to tell you is that those questions paralyze us. They paralyze us because the dichotomous nature of a «why» question is this: I’m asking God why because on the one hand I have faith in Him, but on the other hand I’m asking why because at the same time I’m doubting Him. I doubt that He cares because He’s letting it happen, but I know He’s all-powerful; that’s why I’m asking, «How long?»

I know He can stop it anytime He wants because He’s God, but I’m asking Him, «How long?» I also want to know, «Do you even care?» Do you see how this creates a conflict? No one goes through life without asking that question at some point: «Why?»