I think it’s safe to say that we’ll never really know all of who God is, at least not while we’re here dealing with foot insecurities and head colds and bad traffic. But I like to think that different people specialize in knowing a particular facet of God. Whether it’s Trinity related or more about characteristics, I think we each know him different than the person sitting next to us, or at least we relate to him differently.
And I think that’s the most wonderful thing to be a part of. Imagine. Something so huge that, because you cannot see all of it, seems to contradict the small part that you know. I don’t believe that God is contradictory. But I do believe we are extremely finite. I’ll give you a silly example. I hold onto this perhaps naive belief that predestination and free will exist completely and wholly together. It would seem impossible, but maybe, just maybe, only because we do not and cannot see the entire picture.
I think that’s sometimes what happens with denominations within the church. We become fixated on a part of God and that becomes how we know God. And that’s all very well and noble as long as we realize the greatness that is God. Because when we do, the world becomes full of more wonder than we dare to see when we close our eyes and dream.
And I’m not talking about beliefs which might suggest that God is anything you want him or her or “the force” to be. I believe in God in three Persons, a Son who died and rose again for our salvation and that believing in Him is the only way to Heaven. On the flip side I believe that evil exists and that there is a very real spiritual war going on every second of the day and Satan is clever and disguises himself oh so well. However, I say with confidence that God is EVERYWHERE. He’s in places and people who might make you uncomfortable, in things that offend you, working in the hearts of an undeserving people. Kind of like me. Kind of like you.
I’ve disagreed with and been taken aback by so many people this year. And then I’ve seen God swoop in and bless their ministry, raise them up in leadership, etc. It’s not my call on who’s “doing it right”. Since God made all of us differently (culturally, in personality, in passion, etc.), our responses to him are probably going to look drastically different. You probably wouldn’t do things like me. Maybe, for example, it leaves you leery thinking of how I spent hours in Bhuddist temples sitting quietly with God or worshipping him with spontaneous song. You might ask, What was she doing in that evil place? To which I would respond, Letting the light in.
God looks so different for everyone. He is worshipped so differently across this globe. It stands to reason that he just might be big enough to fit all of us (and our quirks and ideas) into his arms.
I enjoy a theological debate but only while it is edifying for all involved. As soon as it turns in the direction of flying accusations or inflammatory statements, I lose interest fast. What’s the point? What do you know?
Seriously, what do you know for sure?
Stand firmly by your convictions, be discerning, and meditate on Scripture. Then, allow room for the Holy Spirit to move. He is so colourful, so radiant, so unexpected. He’s so much more than you might have thought.
Aubina (from Nepal) and I. We’re the same age but so very different.
