God isn’t a cosmic policeman. He’s so much better than that

There have been times when I’ve viewed God like a cosmic policeman, admits Jeff Lucas. But he isn’t the God of the gotcha. He’s good. 

Driving to our church office in Colorado last week, I was momentarily distracted by the worship album I’d downloaded. The music was great, but the rather aggressive leader seemed to think that freedom in worship meant the congregation had to respond, Pavlovian dog-like, to his every order: “Everyone raise your hands in praise…right now!” he barked. 

I didn’t respond, not least because I was driving. He then followed that command with a well-worn exchange: “God is good!!” he bellowed. “All the time!” responded the obedient crowd, but apparently with insufficient gusto. “I said…God is good!!!” the leader thundered again. 

Mildly irritated by this cheerleading, I suddenly realised that the traffic light ahead of me had turned amber. Should I stop or speed up just a little to get through before it turned red? I choose the latter, but then spotted the police car behind me. Rats. Had I misjudged the traffic light, leading to a little roadside chat with a friendly chap carrying pepper spray and a gun? My heartbeat climbed. My hands grew clammy. I waited for the blaring of a siren and the flashing of lights.