Weird Al vs. God

Several years ago I was at a “Weird Al” Yankovic concert with my brother, Dustin, in Lubbock. I like Weird Al. I think he’s hilarious. I wouldn’t want to be him, though, because with somebody like that it’s better to just like him while you listen to him and then escape back into normality when you are finished listening to him. During the concert, in between songs every once in a while he would go backstage to change outfits and hilarious video clips would play. During one of these moments of musical absence, though, the lights went out and no video played and Weird Al just stood at the microphone with his back to the audience putting on jackets. Everything got very quiet a few seconds into this, at which time somebody yelled out, “I love you ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic,” which I think couldn’t possibly be true, but it drew a cheer from the rest of the audience. The cheer subsided, and the arena was silent once again. At that point, I kid you not, I stood up and yelled at the top of my lungs, plain as day, very slowly, the only noise heard in the entire place, “I … wish … you … were … my … daddy!” The whole place erupted into laughter. The lights came on, and Al turned to the microphone and said in a very sarcastic tone, “Thank you,” drawing more laughter. The truth is, though, I don’t wish “Weird Al” were my daddy. I don’t wish that at all. I have a perfectly good dad, the best in the world in my opinion. What if “Weird Al” had not reacted sarcastically, but had instead held me to it? What if he had turned around and somehow enforced that from that moment on, I was his son? It was one moment of unplanned, thoughtless impulse, and I would have regretted it for the rest of my life. That, to me, is the definition of sin. I don’t wish for some other reality than God for my life. I love the truths I know about God. Sometimes, though, when I’m in need, I mean when I’m empty, I impulsively, thoughtlessly fulfill that need myself rather than allowing God to do it, and I regret it. I have an amazing God; I don’t want these other things to replace him, but sometimes I ask them to. Paul put it this way in Galatians:

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God – or rather are known by God – how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

May you remember your glorious dad, and not wish for other fulfillment.

I love you all. Thanks for reading.

Landon