Born This Way...

One of the biggest songs of the year so far is "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga. It's an incredibly catchy song - very reminiscent of Madonna's "Express Yourself" if you ask me - and has almost instantly been adopted as an anthem for those who consider themselves to be different or misunderstood or unaccepted.

On one hand, it's important to be comfortable in our own skin. It's critical that we don't spend our entire lives wishing we were prettier or skinnier or funnier or smarter. That's a healthy perspective. But, on the other hand, I think many are mistakenly making the leap from accepting who God made us to be to rationalizing who we want to be. Part of the chorus says this:

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way

It's true, God doesn't make mistakes...but you and I make plenty. It's part of free will. Every day we choose Christ or ourselves. We decide between his perfect example and our own sinful nature. Implying (or believing) that our human tendencies are the determining factor as to whether or not we're "on the right track" is ridiculous.

From what I understand, Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer really wanted to do the horrible things they did. Most people who cheat on their spouse really feel like that's the right thing for them. Parents who abuse their kids often know that it's the best way to discipline.

Yes, these are extreme examples, but it just seems like we're on a slippery slope when we start carelessly throwing around the phrase "God makes no mistakes." It's rarely an acceptance of His sovereignty and almost always an excuse for our sin.