God Doesn't Play God

God doesn't play God!  And you're thinking, "Well Sherlock, great discovery, do you have anything else for us?  No, I mean it, God doesn't play God!  I know you want to assert the idea that he can't play God if he is God;  however, that is not my point.  When we use the phrase "playing God" we have a very definite meaning behind it.  It is usually used to describe people who are asserting themselves into our lives in some way that is reserved for God only.  And this is my point precisely! When we use the phrase we are implying that only God has a prerogative to act in such a way, but...

For example, if a person was going to withhold helping their child with tuition for college unless they agreed to pursue an Engineering degree, we might say, "Don't play God with your child's life."  Well, what I am suggesting to you is that on most, if not all, of those occasions even God won't play God.  And then you might respond, "If God won't play God, then what good is God?  How will he ever show up in the world if he doesn't intervene?"  I am so glad you asked.

Scripture

Where could I go from your Spirit?  Or how could I flee from your Presence?  If I ascend into heaven, You are there!  If I make my bed in darkness, You are there!  ...Even there your Hand will lead me, and your Love will embrace me.  ...For You formed me inward being, You knit me together in my mother's womb.  ...Your mysteries fill me with wonder!

Psalm 139:7-8,10,13,14b
Psalms for Praying by Nan C. Merrill