FergusonPoetryProject LLC

Introduction:
We often dream of having superpowers—strength, flight, the ability to control time. But what if I told you that every single one of us has the most incredible superpower imaginable? The power to delete God from our lives.

This superpower is unlike any other. It’s the greatest, not because of its magnificence or glory, but because of its immense implications. It is the power of free will, the power to turn away from God, to reject His presence in our hearts, minds, and souls. The Bible tells us that God has given us free will—He didn’t create robots, but humans with the ability to choose. Today, we’re going to explore what happens when we use this superpower for its most dangerous purpose: deleting God from our lives.

I. The Gift and Responsibility of Free Will
Scripture Reference: Genesis 2:16-17; Deuteronomy 30:19

In the beginning, God gave Adam and Eve a choice. They had every tree in the Garden of Eden for food, but one tree was forbidden. God didn’t block them from making the wrong decision; He gave them the ability to choose whether to follow Him or to turn away.

This same choice exists for us today. God sets before us life and death, blessings and curses. He urges us to choose life, to choose Him, but He will never force Himself into our lives. This is where the superpower comes in: the ability to say, “No.” The ability to delete the presence of God from our hearts and minds, to live as if He doesn’t exist. In some ways, this is the ultimate test of love and trust—God loves us enough to let us reject Him.

Key Point: Free will is a gift, but with it comes an enormous responsibility. The choice to delete God from our lives can lead to eternal consequences.

II. What Happens When We Delete God?
Scripture Reference: Romans 1:21-23; Psalm 14:1

When we delete God from our lives, we aren’t just removing a religious concept or an idea; we are removing the very source of life, love, and purpose. Romans 1:21 tells us that when people reject God, their thinking becomes futile, and their hearts are darkened. They exchange the truth of God for a lie.

Deleting God doesn’t lead to true freedom—it leads to a kind of bondage. We become slaves to our own desires, empty pursuits, and ultimately to sin. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” The danger of deleting God is not merely disbelief but the emptiness and destruction that follow when we remove the foundation of all that is good and true.

Key Point: Deleting God from our lives leads not to freedom, but to spiritual darkness and moral decay.

III. Why Does God Allow Us This Power?
Scripture Reference: 1 John 4:16; John 15:5-6

God is love, and love by its very nature cannot be forced. 1 John 4:16 tells us that “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God.” True love requires the freedom to choose, and with that freedom comes the possibility of rejection.

In John 15:5-6, Jesus teaches that He is the vine, and we are the branches. If we remain in Him, we bear fruit, but if we separate ourselves from Him, we wither and die. Still, God allows us to sever that connection, because He respects our free will.

But why would a loving God allow this? It’s because He desires a relationship that is based on love, not coercion. He wants us to come to Him freely, to recognize that He is our source of life and to remain connected out of love and trust.

Key Point: God allows us the power to delete Him because love cannot exist without the freedom to choose.

IV. Reconnecting with God
Scripture Reference: Luke 15:11-24 (The Prodigal Son)

Even though we have the power to delete God from our lives, He never deletes us from His heart. In the parable of the prodigal son, we see a powerful example of God’s mercy and love. The son used his free will to walk away from his father, to live a life independent of his father’s influence. But when the son finally realized the emptiness of his choices, he returned, and the father was waiting for him with open arms.

This is the incredible truth of our faith: no matter how far we may stray, no matter how completely we may try to delete God from our lives, He is always waiting for us to come back. His love never fails, and His mercy is always ready to forgive.

Key Point: Even when we use our free will to walk away, God’s grace is always available to us if we choose to return.

Conclusion: The Power to Choose Life
Scripture Reference: Revelation 3:20

In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” The choice is ours. Will we use our superpower to delete God, or will we open the door and invite Him into every aspect of our lives?

The greatest superpower humanity has is the ability to delete God—but it’s also the most dangerous. Today, let us choose life. Let us choose God, knowing that in Him we find the fullness of life, love, and truth.

Call to Action: If you’ve been living a life where you’ve used your superpower to keep God at a distance, today is the day to change that. Invite Him back into your heart, and experience the power of His love and grace. Choose God, and you will find true freedom.

QUESTIONS for Married Couples/Parents:

1. How do we, as a couple, exercise our free will in daily life, and are there areas where we may be unconsciously “deleting” God from our relationship?

Consider specific aspects of your marriage, such as how you make decisions, resolve conflicts, or spend time together. Are there moments where God is absent from the conversation, and how might you invite Him back in to strengthen your relationship?

2. In what ways have we experienced the consequences of drifting away from God, either individually or as a couple, and how can we intentionally reconnect with Him?

Reflect on any seasons of life where you may have felt spiritually distant from God or each other. How did that affect your marriage, and what steps can you take to realign your relationship with God’s will and purpose?

3. If true love requires the freedom to choose, how can we honor each other’s free will within our marriage, while still encouraging one another to grow closer to God?

Discuss how respecting each other’s autonomy plays out in your marriage, particularly when it comes to spiritual growth. How can you create space for one another’s personal relationship with God, while also nurturing a shared spiritual journey as a couple?

MORE ON FUTILE THINKING:

Futile thinking refers to mental patterns or habits that are unproductive, counterproductive, or incapable of producing meaningful outcomes. It often involves engaging in repetitive or negative thought cycles that fail to lead to constructive actions or resolutions. Here are a few key aspects to consider when expounding on futile thinking:

1. Circular Reasoning

Futile thinking often involves circular reasoning, where the mind loops through the same thoughts without reaching a solution or new perspective. People may ruminate over problems or hypothetical scenarios, hoping to find an answer, but instead, they become stuck in an endless cycle. This type of thinking can lead to mental exhaustion without progress.

2. Worry and Anxiety

Futile thinking is a hallmark of worry and anxiety. When people fixate on future uncertainties or things outside of their control, they engage in futile mental activity. Worry does not change the outcome, but it saps emotional and cognitive energy, making it harder to focus on what can actually be addressed.

3. Dwelling on the Past

Futile thinking often involves dwelling on past mistakes, regrets, or missed opportunities. While reflecting on the past can be valuable for learning, becoming stuck in thoughts about “what could have been” is unproductive. It wastes mental energy and prevents people from moving forward.

4. Obsessing Over Control

Futile thinking occurs when people try to control things that are inherently uncontrollable—such as other people’s actions, natural events, or random occurrences. This often results in frustration and helplessness, as the focus is placed on something beyond one’s influence rather than on what can be actively changed.

5. Avoidance and Procrastination

Futile thinking may serve as a way to avoid taking necessary action. People may convince themselves they need to think more or gather more information before making a decision, but this can become a form of procrastination. The result is mental stagnation rather than progress.

6. Perfectionism

Striving for unattainable perfection can lead to futile thinking. When individuals believe they must have the perfect answer, outcome, or situation before acting, they engage in unrealistic and futile mental processes. Perfectionism often leads to feelings of inadequacy, as the perfect scenario rarely exists.

7. Lack of Focus on Solutions

One of the most defining characteristics of futile thinking is that it fails to focus on solutions. It may involve rehashing problems or fixating on challenges without shifting toward problem-solving. Solution-oriented thinking, by contrast, seeks actionable steps rather than wallowing in the difficulties.

8. Spiritual Perspective

From a spiritual or biblical perspective, futile thinking is often linked to living without the guidance or wisdom of God. The Apostle Paul, for example, warns against “futile thinking” in Romans 1:21, explaining that those who reject the truth and knowledge of God can become darkened in their understanding, leading to vain and meaningless thoughts. In this context, futile thinking is seen as the result of ignoring spiritual wisdom and becoming self-absorbed or overly fixated on worldly concerns.

9. Escapism

Futile thinking can also manifest as escapism—mentally retreating into fantasies or hypothetical worlds as a way to avoid confronting real issues. While daydreaming can be harmless, it becomes futile when it replaces necessary action or contributes to avoidance.

10. Futility in Relationships

In relationships, futile thinking often involves miscommunication, assumptions, and mind-reading. People may assume the worst about someone else’s actions or motives without direct communication, leading to unnecessary conflict or alienation. Overanalyzing every detail of someone’s behavior can create a false narrative and deepen misunderstandings.

Breaking Free from Futile Thinking

To counter futile thinking, it’s essential to adopt more productive mental habits:• Mindfulness: Practice being present and aware of your thoughts without judgment, allowing you to recognize when you’re falling into unproductive patterns. • Solution-Oriented Thinking: Focus on actions and steps you can take to improve the situation, rather than endlessly analyzing the problem. • Acceptance: Recognize what is within your control and let go of what isn’t. Acceptance allows for peace, even when outcomes aren’t ideal. • Spiritual Reflection: If you’re spiritually inclined, leaning into prayer, meditation, or scripture can provide guidance and wisdom, redirecting futile thoughts toward more meaningful perspectives.

As Always, God Bless,

James Arthur Ferguson