Do you have a custom ringtone on your cellphone?  A different color case or holder?

Do you have a different wallpaper on your computer than the "rolling hills" that was loaded on Windows?  Something that fits your personality a little better?

Do you have a car that's not painted black?  (Henry Ford never thought you would!)

Custom shades or blinds in your home?

Custom cabinets in your kitchen?  Walls painted other than contractor white?

While we are all unique and wonderfully made by the Lord, I think the 'right of customization' in the world today is a problem when it comes to God.

The verse above causes quite a stir among those that aren't saved today. They want a customized god. Sometimes it's one that allows them to continue in their sin and that's identifiable by most.  However, sometimes it's less apparent and veiled by 

I was witnessing to a self-described "recovering catholic" who now claims to be a Buddhist.  He took issue at first with "people who never heard of Jesus not going to heaven".  I told him that it wasn't not 'hearing of Jesus" that sent them to hell, but their sin.  What he said next is symptomatic of the need for so many people to 'customize their god':

I'm sorry, but I can't except Jesus as the one and only saviour of the human race. His kindness, compassion, and love ripple through over 2,000 years, so he must have been a very powerful person.... I also believe that anyone who excepts Jesus as their personal savior can find comfort and peace in him. I do not believe that he alone holds the keys to Nirvana.

So close, yet so far, eh?  This happened online and the guy went silent after my last response - hopefully because the Spirit was working on convicting his heart of his sins.  Or maybe he just didn't want to hear any more.

Too often, the world wants a god that says deeds (works) get you to heaven...or charity...or self-sacrifice...or purifying yourself through many lives.  They always say "there has to be many ways to get to heaven".  Why?  Because there are 500 channels on cable, 31 flavors at Baskin-Robbins, and we think we deserve to make the rules.

God is God...He doesn't HAVE to allow for customization.  He doesn't HAVE to give more than one option for how to get to Him.  The world needs to stop thinking they can paint their salvation any color they want, and change the means of reaching it when they want. 

Thank you God, for keeping my choices simple, and for giving us your Son.