Christina Aguilera sings this song, “If you wanna be with me.

Baby, there’s a price to pay. I’m a genie in a bottle. You gotta rub me the right way,” and sometimes I think that’s how the world thinks of God. 

They think if they do the normal routine of thanking God, acknowledging His presence, and treat people, when they call upon the Lord, He will answer because they’re just a G R E A T person. 

It frustrates me that people emphasize works (meaning things I do) instead of developing a relationship with God. He isn’t a GENIE. You can’t wish three times like Aladdin and poof, your dreams come true. He’s not a microwave where you pop your food in, and it’s well heated. Develop a relationship with Him. Discover who God is and what He can do for you. 

This “genie mindset” is so strong that people are angry with God because He didn’t answer one prayer after answering 15 other prayer requests. The “genie mindset” is so strong that people treat God like He’s nothing more than a cute Christmas and Easter card. 

Even when we think God has answered our prayer, know He has. Pastor Nathan taught us three responses to our request to God; Yes, No, Wait. The problem we face is dealing with God’s response when it doesn’t align with what we want. 

You see, a genie is forced to give you the desire of your heart, whether it’s good or bad for you. But what does Psalm 23: 1 say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” and a good shepherd takes care of his flock. 

A genie can’t see your heart. It doesn’t know your intentions. A genie can’t help you when the decisions you make affect those around you. A genie won’t stop you from making a live-ending decision. Their purpose is to serve you. 

But God is the alpha and omega. He is the beginning and the end. In Psalm 139: 13, it says He has “formed my innermost parts;

You knit me together in my mother’s womb,” — God knew who we were before we were even born. In the same chapter, it says, ” Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off,”– which means God’s knows everything about me. He knows what I say in my head and my heart. 

So we must trust Him, and when you don’t understand, remember, His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Lastly, God has thoughts of peace, not evil, to give us an expected end (Jeremiah 29: 11). 

Let’s recap. 

1. God is NOT A GENIE. Say it with me; GOD IS NOT A GENIE. He wants people who want to serve Him. 
2. He wants a relationship with us. Don’t just talk to God when you need something, talk to Him like you speak with a friend. 
3. When you don’t understand, trust God. He sees before we see. Trust and know that everything will be alright. 

So ask yourself, do you treat God like a genie? Do you only read your Bible and pray to receive? What’s the status of your relationship with God today?

Think about it. Meditate on it. Now, answer it.