Day before yesterday, a solid gold toilet named America was stolen from a palace in the United Kingdom. It was worth over one million dollars. Earlier, it had been on display at the Guggenheim in New York City, where people made three minute reservations to use the toilet. It was actually used by more than 100,000 people.
When the theft happened this past Saturday, because it was a truly functioning toilet that had been plumbed into the palace, a lot of flooding and damage happened when it was removed. This got me thinking.
Someone actually came up with the idea of making a toilet out of solid gold, naming it after our nation, calling it art, and then inviting people to use it. And they did! Then someone else risked going to jail to steal something that thousands of people have literally used as a toilet.
Do you ever wonder what the heck is wrong with people? I do all the time. I think God does too.
In fact, while the toilet thing has never been on my radar, I am certain there are times when God sees the decisions I make, the thoughts that run through my shallow brain, the hurtful words I sometimes use, my narcissistic outlook on life, and God shakes his head in disbelief and says, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
But no matter how bizarre, self consumed, or in the case of the golden toilet, how absurd humans are, God has chosen to love us, stick with us, and do everything in his power to bring us home.
So the next time you see a rainbow, remember it is a sign of God’s promise to never abandon, dismiss, or ignore you. He paid too high a price to simply let you go.
Paul said, “But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 CEB)
People are weird but God has chosen to love us anyways. Praise God!
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, in those moments when I am not what you created me to be, guide me back on your path. Give me the wisdom, joy, and compassion that comes from knowing and loving you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
In looking at how strange people are, I think God is getting the short end of the stick. And when I get to heaven, I cannot wait to give God a big hug and say, “Thank you for loving me warts and all.”
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 