Some Questions on "Thanks" by And McDonald

Might the best response to God simply be, “Thanks?” 

What part does their choice play in a child becoming a child of their parent?

Don’t parents decided to become parents by an active choice or by not taking steps to not become parents?

And isn’t adopting a child a clear parental choice?

In either case, isn’t the root point the decision of the parent, not the child?

So why is it that we spend so much weight on our “believing,” our “accepting,” our “having faith in,” as the way we become God’s child? 

Jesus had life in himself, and this life gives light to everyone! When Jesus came, the world didn’t recognize him. To all who believed him and accepted him he gave the right to become Children of God!  Verse 13 says, “They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God.” - John 1

If the model is “rebirth” would the reborn have exactly the same say in “rebirth” as they had in their original birth? 

Can we push the analogy that far?

Have we creatures inserted ourselves too much into the creator’s process of rebirthing?

Is there some inherited tendency, evident in our primordial parents, which has become our human family’s heirloom? 

Is the “do it yourself” bent so strong in us that, regardless of God’s generosity and activity, we prefer attempting to do it our own way so we can get some of the credit?

How are we like an angry little kid who yells, “I didn’t ask to be born?”  

Do we imagine that not being birthed at all would have been a better decision? 

Back to the rebirth—is it clear or realistic to think that the one being reborn—re-birthed—is being acted upon, not doing the action?

If you only had a moment to introduce yourself to total strangers with whom you hoped to have an eternal relationship—what part of who you are would you reveal?

Wouldn’t it seem that God would, in this case, want to reveal his primary trait?

Isn’t God infinite?

Couldn’t he have kept us fascinated with revelations about himself and about science, and psychology, and astronomy,  and every topic forever?

So why does he choose to reveal as his primary trait “unfailing love and faithfulness”?

Isn’t this a contrast to all the misconceptions of God or the “gods”?

Aren’t they thought to be capricious, volatile, mean and vengeful when we mess with them?

Couldn’t Jesus have come down from the cross? 

Couldn’t he, in a word, destroy all his captors and mockers?

Does he stay on the cross to reveal his atoning, self-sacrificing, heart of unfailing love and faithfulness?

Can we believe the Creator so loves the work of his hands and mind that he would give up himself for his creation?

And is it audacious and blasphemous for us to make our part bigger than his?

Or, in humility, should we just say, “Thanks!”?

Andy McDonald