“Thank God” is a phrase that’s thrown around so often it’s become worthless. We use it for the most trivial proclamations.

“Thank God” it stopped raining. “Thank God” it’s Friday. And the most ironic: “Thank God I’m an atheist.”

Is God really responsible for everything we attribute Him? And if He’s not…does He wantthe credit?

There are three basic explanations for God’s involvement in our lives.

1. God does nothing. This is the view held by atheists, and by those who are angry at God for not “fixing” their own lives.

2. God does everything. This view reduces us all to automatons that God plays with for His amusement without any free will of our own. It means that every act of evil is also an act of God.

3. God is responsible for some things, but not others.

For those who believe in God, this third view is the most balanced. But it raises more questions than it answers. Which things is God responsible for, and why?

It is most easily explained by believing in free will. If there is such a thing as free will, then by definition people can act in a way contrary to God’s wishes. If there is no such thing as free will, we’re back to God doing everything, including theft, murder, and rape.

When God’s influence in the modern world is discussed, it is usually with interest in whether to blame God for the evil and disastrous acts in our life. While that’s a fascinating question, today I’d like to address whether God is directly responsible for the good in our lives.

Before you answer that question, it’s important to understand that not everything youthink is good is actually good. You may think it’s good to win the lottery, but if it turns you into a miserly jerk, it wasn’t good. You may think it’s good to save someone’s life, but if that person commits genocide, ultimately it wasn’t a good idea to save him (even if your intentions were noble).

So let’s just agree that we don’t exactly know what’s good or evil when we first see it. The family whose life is devastated by natural disaster or the loss of a loved one may only grow stronger in their faith. A terminal illness can turn someone into a saint, whereas a lifetime of pleasant experiences can make people soft, selfish, and weak. Therefore we can’t assume that deaths caused by a tornado or earthquake are “evil” and getting the job you wanted was “good”.

If you believe in God, then whatever is “good” is, by definition, whatever God wants. But does it always mean God causes it? Earlier, we examined the idea that evil is possible because God gave mankind free will. Isn’t it possible that God also gave mankind free will to do good?

Let’s put it another way. Which satisfies the loving parent more: The child who does his chores because he was walked through them, step by step, without any say in the matter? Or the child who performs his work diligently, without even being asked?

Obviously the latter is more satisfying to us here on earth. And this is true whether you’re talking about parents, stewards, employees, volunteers, or friends. If we were created in God’s image, isn’t it possible that this satisfaction for seeing someone act on his/her own to nevertheless do the right thing is a direct result of God having — and wanting — the same satisfaction?

It’s possible that there are good acts that God did not directly perform, even if God made them possible through good teaching, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and making us want to please Him. And I don’t think God likes it when we take credit from the people who actually performed the act.

The cop who risks his life to stop a rape in progress, the detective who tracks down a serial killer, the firefighter who walks headlong into a burning building, the soldier who takes up arms to defend even those who criticize him, and the EMT who spends every day saving lives…these are brave and special individuals. Let’s not minimize their contributions by pretending they didn’t have a choice.

The philanthropist who donates money to a worthy cause, patient couples who run foster homes, the kind stranger who gives you enough cash to make your purchase when you were short have the same heart, if not the same amazing bravery.

There are good people all over the world who risk their lives or wealth or comfort to make a positive difference. I think God did not dance them on strings like marionettes; I think He led the way, but they chose to follow. Sometimes at great cost or risk.

So thank God that we live in a world full of wonder. Thank Him for life and breath, opportunity, and most of all for salvation.

But thank your fellow man when they work for the betterment of those around them.

God is proud of them. And He wants you to be, too.