Is God An Egomaniac?

"Is God egotistical for wanting every single person to worship and glorify Him?" That's what one of my students asked over coffee the other day. It's a good question and I've heard it voiced many times before in one form or another. I had never given much thought as to how to answer it, but for some reason, sitting there in Starbucks, the answer just plopped into my brain. "No," I replied. "That doesn't make God an egomaniac at all. Think about it: From eternity past, the three members of the Trinity have ever existed in perfect love, joy, peace and communion. In their interrelationship perfection is found. And God in His kindness is simply inviting His creation to join in on that joy and perfection! He didn't need to create us...He was totally satisfied with Himself...but He did create us and now invites and even demands us to participate in the pleasures of His perfection. Commanding people to worship Him is the most loving thing God can do! In essence He's saying...'Hey, you! Come get in on this action! It's awesome! I've got perfect love, joy, peace and communion just bubbling over in boundless excess! I want to share it with you! And by the way, there's nothing else out there for you besides me!' By demanding people to worship Him and nothing else, God is actually sparing us from a life of nothingness. He's not some insecure old man looking for false validation and forced praise. He is a loving Father who knows what will bring His children everlasting satisfaction: Himself! That's why He commands us to worship Him because by worshiping Him we receive exactly what we've always needed and more than what we've ever wanted!"

"Oh," said my student. "That makes sense."

Yes, it does. Yes, it does. 

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 
   Worship the LORD with gladness; 
   come before him with joyful songs. 
Know that the LORD is God. 
   It is he who made us, and we are his
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
                                                     -Psalm 100:1-3