This had to be one of the most despised (and possibly overused) statements that we heard from our parents as a kid. It never failed to be the answer when we asked why we had to clean the backyard, why we had to eat vegetables with our dinner, or why we had to do the dishes. There was no explanation, just a quick, “because I said so.” This is frustrating, is it not?
(Quick disclaimer: My mom actually did not do this. If she is reading this and thinking I am unjustly portraying her child-raising techniques and abilities, I would like to clarify that this was never her response ... she would probably appreciate that clarification).
Anyways, back to the point.
So parents can find this phrase totally acceptable when their purpose or authority is questioned, but it really doesn’t explain anything. The sole point of our asking was to gain a response that could logically explain the purpose of a demand; to understand the reasoning behind eating our vegetables or cleaning our room. If we are doing something that we don’t necessarily want to do, it would be helpful to understand the importance of doing such so we are able to happily complete the task.
There is no reasoning behind such a response! We like proof and logic. We like to rationalize and we like to be knowledgeable. “Because I said so,” allows us none of these things. It forces us to accept what is said without further questioning or doubt. Such a response should never be an acceptable answer to ones inquiries. And yet, I hear this from my Father constantly.
I feel like God says this to me all the time. He makes some pretty extraordinary claims in the bible about who I am, and I can’t say that I don’t question them pretty frequently. He tells me that I am His masterpiece, that I am a precious jewel, that I am His inheritance, and that I am wonderfully made. He says that I am a light in the darkness, that I am strong and bold, and that I am complete in Him.
Those are not small claims! He would say a number of great things about who I am, but I would find myself doubting their validity fairly often. I’d doubt and I’d question, and the only response I ever heard back was, “You are because I said so.”
Oh, cool … great response. This frustrated me beyond belief! It didn’t prove anything. It didn’t clear up anything for me, and I was no closer to believing any of the things He was telling me because I didn’t have explanations. I didn’t have proof. All I had was, “because I said so,” and that wasn’t enough for me. I so deeply believed lies that I had been taught throughout my life that such a simple and vague response wouldn’t convince me that it was truth.
You know how, when you were a kid, you thought you knew everything and you were convinced that your parents knew nothing? My mom always used to tell me that one day I would realize that my parents weren’t as clueless as I thought they were. She would joke about how she used to think that she was so much smarter than her parents, too, but she one day recognized that they actually did know what they were talking about. Well, that moment does come. And when it comes, “because I said so,” makes a little more sense. Now, I’m not saying it becomes a valid response, but one can begin to understand the reasoning behind it.
Parents know best. And if they don’t know best, they know better than we do. Thus, by saying, “because I say so,” they are implying that they know more and understand better than we do. They mean to say that their judgment and instruction can be trusted because they intend to guide us to the best of their ability.
Our Father does the same.
When God responds with, “because I said so,” that should be the last word. There should be no hesitation or further questioning. Why? Because God’s word, and God’s every word, is truth. God knows me better than I know myself! Who am I to tell God that He is wrong?
“No God, you’re mistaken, actually. I know you say that I'm a masterpiece and I'm precious, but I'm actually not. I am not strong, nor am I a light.”
Who am I to think that His truths apply to everyone else but me?
“Sure, God, you say that your love is unconditional, but I’m pretty sure you meant to say that your love for everyone else except me, everyone but Mary Bocks, is unconditional. I'm sure your love for me waivers every now and then.”
Who am I to question God’s truth?
The ways in which I continually question God’s judgment and His truth are absurd because ultimately, everything He tells me is true. It’s certain. There are no exceptions and no inaccuracies. What God tells me is always true. There is no better argument that He can make for the validity of His claims other than, “I said so.” That’s like, the ultimate trump card!
“Mary, you should believe it because I said it, and my word is truth. Need I say more?”
No. No, He need not say more.
Formerly I thought that God’s response to my inquisition was the furthest thing from an actual answer. It frustrated me when the only thing I heard back was, “It is true because I said so.” I could never see the obvious conclusion He was trying to help me reach: God’s word is truth. Therefore, if God says it, it must be true. It’s so simple that it’s almost embarrassing that I didn’t see it before!
“God is truth, and whatever God says is true. So, if God says you’re a pickle, you’re a pickle!”
I don't know that I could have said it better myself.
Although the wholehearted belief of His truths about who I am may come a little later after time, prayer, and transformation, I have reminded myself that His word IS truth, that His truth DOES apply to me, and who God tells me I am, I am, because God said so.
I am a masterpiece. For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, in order to do the good works that planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10.
I am important. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7.
I am marvelous. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, my soul knows that full well. Psalm 139:14
I am a precious treasure. “They will be my people,” says the Lord Almighty. “On the day
when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure.” Malachi 3:17
I am significant. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27.
I am worth thought and time. How amazing are your thoughts concerning me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. Psalm 139:17-18.
I am deeply loved. I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge. Ephesians 3:17-19.
I am irreplaceable. On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. 1 Corinthians 12:23-24
I am righteous. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21.
I am chosen. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12.
I am pleasing and delightful. The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17.
I am strong. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.
I am exactly how God made me to be. But in fact God has placed the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 1 Corinthians 12:18.
