Who is God to you?
That’s a big question, and I understand the temptation to stop reading right there. It’s possible you believe that God is nothing — that He doesn’t even exist. Well, you can hold on to that belief all you want, but you and I both know it takes a lot of mental and emotional energy to reject the obvious.
Can someone reject the obvious? Yes, but doing so is hard. For example, The earth is obviously round. Flat-earthers believe the earth is flat. They are free to believe as they wish, but doing so requires creating and sustaining an alternate explanation of an obvious reality. It’s crazy how hard people are willing to work to defend their belief that the earth is flat. But here’s the thing: The earth is round, so believing it is round is easier. That’s the point I’m making. You’re free to reject the existence of God, but doing so makes life much harder.
Who is it you instinctively talk to (pray to) when something really hard or really bad is on the horizon? Who is it you turn to for comfort when your world is rocked by crisis or tragedy? Who do you blame when life seems terribly unfair? Are you willing to admit your instinctive desire to reach out for God?
You may not want to admit your belief in God to others, but at least be honest with yourself. The decision about God’s existence is yours to make, but just remember that Hartzell warned you that rejecting the obvious makes life hard.
If you’re still reading and you’re willing to acknowledge that God exists, then let’s figure out who God is to you.
Do you see him as a generous Santa Claus who wants to give you everything on your wish list? A lot of people see God this way. They acknowledge Him only when they want something from Him.
Do you see Him as a sweet old grandpa who is out-of-touch and old-fashioned but so endearing that you just love having Him around and available — especially when you need to feel centered, comforted, directed, and wise?
Do you see Him as a grumpy old man who is just waiting for you to do something wrong so He can whack you on the head — like you’re His favorite target in a cosmic game of whack-a-mole?
You’re still reading. Congratulations. Some people aren’t willing to be challenged on this topic. The fact that you’re still here says a lot about your openness and curiosity. Since you’ve come this far, I encourage you to go a little further.
There is a bit of truth in each of the Santa-grandpa-grumpy descriptions of God, just like there is a bit of truth in the earth being flat. Yes, when I look out the window, the earth looks flat, but just because it looks flat doesn’t mean it is flat. The view of the earth from my window is very limited. To see the earth as round, I need to gain a much greater perspective.
The same is true with understanding God.
This I can tell you with certainty: God is for you — and every action He has taken for you is driven by three things: (1) His unconditional love for you, (2) His desire to be with you forever, and (3) the divine purposes for which He created you.
Regarding His love for you, Paul had this to say in Romans 8:31-32, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
God isn’t Santa Claus. His giving isn’t based on naughty and nice lists. He has given to all of us the good, the bad, and the ugly, the highest and greatest gift He could offer — the life of His one and only Son. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done; God is for you.
God isn’t a grandfather because He has no grandchildren. Through Jesus Christ, all of us are given the opportunity to be his child and to call Him Father. When Jesus taught us how to pray, He started the prayer with “Our Father, Who art in heaven … ” Do you see it? God is for you.
While God isn’t a grandfather, He certainly offers comfort and, counsel, wisdom, and guidance. He is always with us, always ready to hear us, always ready to meet our needs. In Philippians 4:19, Paul declares, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Be careful with this one. His understanding of your needs and your understanding of your needs may not line up. He knows what you need better than you do because He made you. Rest assured, if you follow Him, you will always have what He knows you need. Why? Because God is for you.)
God isn’t a cosmic whack-a-mole gamer. He doesn’t take pleasure in punishing you or causing you pain. Actually, He is just the opposite. He has done all that is necessary for you to be forgiven and fully restored in your relationship with Him. In II Peter 3:9, we read, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Graduate, God is for you. We pray that you will always know His love and that you will pursue with all of your might the purposes for which He created you. When you do, you will have life to the full. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
