I want a God of the here and now
Saint Agatha; Paul Flandrin; French; 19th century; Source: The Met
CEFR Level B2-C1
“I’m not interested in a future-focused faith!” The complaint came early one morning as I contemplated how I would advise someone who is going through a life-altering challenge during which they can take action, but cannot control the outcome.
Every explanation, platitude, and scripture I thought of relied on the principle that God will make everything better one day, so there’s no reason to be worried today. After all, God said not to worry, so why are you evaluating options for how to pay those bills when every payment will have a tradeoff? Why are you searching for how to stay true to your faith in a challenging situation at work? Don’t you know that God will never fail?
I’m not interested in a future-focused faith. If faith, spirituality, religiosity - whatever term you want to use - doesn’t help me today, what good is it? And don’t tell me it helps me because it makes me feel better and if it doesn’t, then that’s because I’m not submitting or whatever. Either the principles of my faith provide help today or they don’t. If it takes mental and emotional contortions to create the benefit, it’s not an actual benefit.
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“A mighty fortress is our God.” Okay, sure, Martin. That’s great for an emotional appeal, but what does it actually mean, right now, today? The entire hymn is future-focused. God is “a bulwark never failing” against “this world, with devils filled.” We are urged to “let go…this mortal life…God’s kingdom is forever!”
“Forever” should mean right now, too. But try as I might, I can’t find a way to read the lyrics that show a present focus. It’s all about spirituality with a future focus.
I’m not interested in a future-focused faith. At least, not at the exclusion of a now-focused faith. There may be some comfort in believing in a utopic forever, but I don’t know what will happen after death. I do know what is happening to me right now. So give me a God that helps me now.
Jesus cared about the now. I like Jesus a whole lot better than whatever vision of God Martin Luther wrote about. Jesus healed people now. Jesus restored people to social life now. Jesus fed people now. Jesus attended to people’s spiritual concerns (forgave sins) now. Never once did Jesus speak directly to someone asking for help and tell them not to worry if they were a beggar because they would have plenty in the kingdom of heaven, the Beatitudes notwithstanding. Jesus didn’t look at the parent worried about their child suddenly falling into the fire and tell them not to worry because their child would be whole in the kingdom of heaven and God would protect the child now. Obviously the child was not protected! He was falling into fire! That’s why they needed help now.
Some Christian traditions incorporate a focus on the now, emphasizing the need for Christians to do good works as representatives of Jesus. That’s good as far as it goes, but I want to know more about how these traditions talk about the mental and emotional impact of current challenges. Do they repeat the same phrases about trusting God or not worrying? Do they tell people it will all be okay one day? Do they avoid the question altogether? In my limited experience, even traditions that have a theological focus on acting now still espouse the future-focused doctrines when it comes to things over which we cannot control the outcome.
I’m not interested in a future-focused faith, because no, I am not fine today. I believe I will be fine in a few weeks or months or years - I’m doing my part, but the outcome is out of my control. I know God has cared for me in the past and today and there is no reason God won’t care for me tomorrow. But today, the waiting for a better day has gone on for too many days. Hope deferred has made my heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). I am not fine. I am taking it one day at a time. Each day is filled with breath prayers of “God, help us.” Would your Christian tradition accept me today when I’m not fine or would you give me bible verses without context and slogans urging me to a future-focused faith?
"That's Why You Were Born" is a modern Christmas carol that could also be used as an Advent song. The verses summarize the Nativity story. The refrain creates anticipation. The ending answers the "so what" question. This is a hymn-style SATB arrangement that offers flexibility in mixing soloists with full choir or congregation. This would be a fun piece for the choir to sing while actors perform a Christmas pageant.
Length: 1:00-2:00 minutes
Soprano/Melody Range: Bb3-F5
PDF Download: This is a digital product, so I can't issue a refund. If you experience a problem, please let me know.
This title is also available at JW Pepper and SheetMusicPlus.