Did you ever play with a Magic 8 ball when you were younger? This beloved toy was a staple of many childhoods, providing hours of fun and intrigue. The Magic 8 ball was a small plastic ball filled with dark liquid and an icosahedral die floating inside. The die had various responses printed on it, such as "Yes," "No," "Ask again later," and "Cannot predict now." To use the Magic 8 ball, you simply asked it a question, shook it, and then turned it upside down to reveal the answer. The Magic 8 ball became popular due to its seemingly mystical abilities to predict the future. Children and even adults would ask it questions about various aspects of their lives, from school to relationships to sports.
And as for you, the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone teach you; but as His anointing teaches you concerning all things and is true and is not a lie, and even as it has taught you, abide in Him. -1 John 2:27
And as for you, the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone teach you; but as His anointing teaches you concerning all things and is true and is not a lie, and even as it has taught you, abide in Him. This becomes an issue to God, because He is preoccupied with dispensing Himself into us, mingling with us, and being expressed through us, not just answering all queries, erasing all ambiguities, or solving all problems.
Children and even adults would ask it questions about various aspects of their lives, from school to relationships to sports. While most people understood that the Magic 8 ball was just a toy, it still provided a sense of excitement and wonder. The Magic 8 ball also became ingrained in popular culture, making appearances in movies, television shows, and even songs.
Reducing God to a Magic 8 Ball
As we approach crossroads in life, we remember, “Oh yeah, I’ve got God.” So we ask our question, shake really hard, and optimistically turn our magic 8 ball over.
Don’t reduce God to a computational machine.
But you may say, “What about knowing God’s will for me? What about knowing what I’m supposed to do? What school to go to? Who to marry?” These are all legitimate concerns no doubt. But they are not all there is to God.
I’m afraid that for many God has become the divine, cosmic version of Google? Or just a more polished and sophisticated Siri?
Early in our Christian life it’s quite natural to be like this. And since God is gracious and cares for us, we receive answers.
But the problem is we become preoccupied with knowing. We become preoccupied with doing. We want to know someTHING more than know the someONE living inside us. This becomes an issue to God, because He is preoccupied with dispensing Himself into us, mingling with us, and being expressed through us, not just answering all queries, erasing all ambiguities, or solving all problems.
This comes back to God’s purpose. God’s will for God’s life. Missio Dei.
God is out to get something for Himself, not just be the all-powerful, all-knowing, benevolent, personal assistant.
God has anointed Christ to accomplish His eternal purpose. I think it would be understatement even to say this is a monumental task. The title Christ means “the anointed One.” Christ then is the anointing One to us because we become joined to Him and share in His anointing (2 Corinthians 1:21, Hebrews 1:9). Thus we share in the commission to accomplish God’s economy- missiones ecclesiae. Ultimately, Christ as the Spirit within us becomes the anointing itself.
And as for you, the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone teach you; but as His anointing teaches you concerning all things and is true and is not a lie, and even as it has taught you, abide in Him.
-1 John 2:27
This brings us full circle. The anointing teaches us. Say we want to know something practical about what we should do, where we should go, how our life fits in with the grand design of God’s will. No one in this boat right?
Well, sometimes God temporarily doesn’t respond to our requests for information (aka prayers) because He wants to have an opportunity to “paint” us with the anointing. God teaches us most often not by “saying” green but by “painting” green within us. This requires us to spend time with the Painter so that He can paint His thought, feeling, and intent into us. The more time we spend with Him under the anointing, the more we will be clear about “all things.”
Otherwise, why didn’t God give all the answers in the Bible? Number 1) it would produce an unwieldy Bible that no one would lug around. Number 2) He withholds information so that we would spend time with Him to experience the anointing.
In the end, the primary concern God has is not whether or not we make mistakes or misinterpret inner feelings concerning the practical side of God’s will in our life. He is concerned about how much paint, aka God, we have received.
The test of everything with us will be: How much of God really came in by our having been here? …How much of it results in more of God- not more of knowledge, not more of mental apprehension, but how much more of God.
-T. Austin-Sparks
We shouldn’t view our life as a Choose Your Own Adventure book where the goal is just to endlessly flip to the correct page. And we shouldn’t view God as the all knowing answer orb. God’s purpose is to become one with man, not just in an abstract theological way, but actually, in real situations.
So sometimes God leaves the problem, predicament, or perplexity just so we need Him and He has an opportunity to paint us a little more with God.
This brings us full circle. The anointing teaches us. Say we want to know something practical about what we should do, where we should go, how our life fits in with the grand design of God’s will. No one in this boat right?
One such song is the "Magic 8 ball hymn." This hymn, written by an unknown songwriter, pays homage to the magic and mystery of the Magic 8 ball. The lyrics of the Magic 8 ball hymn capture the playful spirit and anticipation that came with using the toy. The song speaks to the nostalgia many people feel when looking back on their experiences with the Magic 8 ball. It reminds us of a time when we believed in the possibility of magic and the power of simple toys to bring joy and excitement. Overall, the "Magic 8 ball hymn" is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Magic 8 ball and the sense of wonder it provided. While the toy may have been just a simple prop, it held a special place in the hearts of many. The hymn serves as a reminder of the power of imagination and the joy that can be found in the simplest of things..
Reviews for "The Magic 8 Ball Hymn: A Connection to the Divine"
1. Amy - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic 8 ball hymn". The concept sounded interesting, but the execution fell flat. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters lacked depth. The writing style was also choppy and took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. I had high expectations for this novel, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to them.
2. James - 1 star - This book was a complete waste of time. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters, and the plot felt like it was going nowhere. The author seemed to be trying too hard to be edgy and unique, but it just came across as pretentious. The writing was convoluted and pretentious, making it difficult to get through. Overall, I would not recommend "Magic 8 ball hymn" to anyone.
3. Christine - 2 stars - I had heard great things about "Magic 8 ball hymn" but found it to be a letdown. The story had potential, but it was overshadowed by unnecessary subplots and confusing narrative jumps. The pacing was off, with slow parts dragging on and important moments feeling rushed. The characters lacked development and depth, making it hard to invest in their journeys. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this book.
4. David - 2.5 stars - "Magic 8 ball hymn" was a decent read, but it didn't live up to the hype for me. The plot had its moments, but there were too many loose ends left unresolved. The writing style was unique, but at times it felt disjointed and hard to follow. The characters were intriguing, but their motivations remained unclear for the most part. While there were some interesting elements, the overall execution fell short for me.
5. Emily - 2 stars - I was excited to read "Magic 8 ball hymn", but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The story had potential, but the writing was overly poetic and took away from the plot. The characters were difficult to connect with, as they lacked depth and didn't feel fully developed. The pacing was also inconsistent, with slow sections dragging on and fast-paced moments feeling rushed. Overall, I found myself struggling to stay engaged and ultimately felt let down by this book.