The Whack-a-Mole Theology

Do we serve a forgiving Father who loves us or a God just waiting to whack us on the head

Occasionally my kids convince me to take them to the Incredible Pizza Company. It’s a delightful place where they gorge on the pizza buffet and play arcade games.

For many years, my daughters favorite game at the arcade was Whack-a-Mole.

She gripped the toy hammer tightly and waited for a mole to pop up so that she could whack it with all her might.

One day, as I watched her whack the tiny moles, I realized that this is how many people view God. He is seen as a sadistic creator waiting to whack his creation on the head. Nothing could be more wrong.

Don’t get me wrong, I strongly believe there is a price to be paid for sin but our Father is in the business of forgiveness, not whacking!

There is no better example of this than Peter!  

All four gospels record Peter’s passionate declaration that he would never deny Jesus.  

He was WRONG!

Peter denied Jesus three times within hours of declaring that he would never do such a thing. As the rooster crowed that morning, Peter recognized his failure. His eyes welled up with tears of failure and regret.

Although there was no whack a mole in those days, I bet Peter thought that God would strike him down. I have a feeling that he felt unworthy, sinful, and like an utter failure. Truth be told he was all three of those things!

But, Peter’s story didn’t end with the tears and failure. If we so choose to react like Peter did then our story doesn’t have to end with tears either

John 21 records the reinstatement of Peter to full forgiveness.  When he saw Jesus he swam straight into the arms of the one he’d denied. Peter was instantly restored and forgiven! There was no hammer in sight.

So, if you feel a bit like Peter, waiting on the hammer of heaven to fall, shake off that view of God and run into his arms!

Forgiven!

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