I recently heard a marvelous story. A little 6 year old girl was in a drawing lesson. She was in the back of the room. She hardly ever paid attention in class but was doing so this time. The teacher was fascinated and walked over to her and asked, “What are you drawing?” And the girl said, “I’m drawing a picture of God.” The teacher said, “But nobody knows what God looks like!” To which the girl replied, “They will in a minute!”
I'm reminded that Jesus was asked by his guys, his students (disciples), "Show us the Father?!" In a nutshell His response was: “He who has seen me has seen the Father."
Whew, this adds a new dimension to the little girls’ story. If "He" (Jesus), who we say is very God, lives His life in and through us, perhaps the only way the world can see Him, is by looking at us. As if to say, “Want to know what God is like? Wondering what on earth God is doing! “Look at me!” We are his picture!
How does the world see God? And…What on earth is God doing? This question is the beginning, for me, of a new journey of exploration, contemplation and especially self examination.
I can tell you from experience that lately God has been doing some stuff. Just yesterday He spent some time with His friends Dennis and Paul and with his wife Nancy, talking about responding to homelessness, poverty and the needs of those in our community. Later, He helped his wife pack and get ready for her trip and yes, God IS married. Later, God spent time purchasing and programming a new cell phone for Nancy’s trip to Michigan and ordering Nancy’s special vitamins and protein foods to be delivered to where she will be staying. Later He (in me) made and confirmed Nancy’s rent-a-car and Hotel reservations. God even washed some of her clothes – reluctantly. Earlier, that morning, God spent some time at the Free Store in downtown Charlotte. It is run by his friend Paul Fisher. As He does every week, God conducted a devotional bible study with some homeless folks and fed them donuts and coffee instead of loaves and fishes. Around noon He (God in me) had lunch at Dim Sum with Dennis, Paul and Nancy. Together they had a lively theological discussion. God, it seems, is quite fond of Chinese food – especially sweet and sour pork! Oops, not kosher. It’s worth noting that He left the waitress a very generous tip. God is not cheap! He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He loves to give and He wants you to have your best life NOW!
In the early evening God spent a lot time just relaxing. He rested from his labors. Later in the evening it became evident that God is fond of Netflix! He especially enjoys reruns of the TV series 24! He and Jack Bauer are in the same business – saving the world! After watching episodes for much of the evening - God (in Christ, in me) undertook reading and responding to some spiritual e-mails. Then He did some blogging and of course journaling followed by prayer! Amen! God is good! Then He curled up with a good “Christian” book by theologian Howard Snyder. As you probably know, God is very keen on intellectual and theological writings and discussions. He religiously spends countless hours daily in such pursuits. About midnight, God was seen asleep in his favorite chair with his feet propped up on his favorite ottoman.
Just this moment it struck me that I may have to rethink this, see God or Jesus by looking at me stuff. I’m somewhat uncomfortable with this new revelation. It seems like strange fire – not very evangelical. Right now I find myself in uncharted theological waters. I’m feeling uncomfortable with this new faith. “Want to see God look at me” sounds kind of brassy and showoffy! Come to think of it, I’m too unpretentious for that approach. I don’t like to be in the limelight or to bring attention to myself! I’m more comfortable with, “Want to see what God is like – don’t look at me - look at Jesus!” That’s just the kind of guy I am. Humble.
I'm reminded that Jesus was asked by his guys, his students (disciples), "Show us the Father?!" In a nutshell His response was: “He who has seen me has seen the Father."
Whew, this adds a new dimension to the little girls’ story. If "He" (Jesus), who we say is very God, lives His life in and through us, perhaps the only way the world can see Him, is by looking at us. As if to say, “Want to know what God is like? Wondering what on earth God is doing! “Look at me!” We are his picture!
How does the world see God? And…What on earth is God doing? This question is the beginning, for me, of a new journey of exploration, contemplation and especially self examination.
I can tell you from experience that lately God has been doing some stuff. Just yesterday He spent some time with His friends Dennis and Paul and with his wife Nancy, talking about responding to homelessness, poverty and the needs of those in our community. Later, He helped his wife pack and get ready for her trip and yes, God IS married. Later, God spent time purchasing and programming a new cell phone for Nancy’s trip to Michigan and ordering Nancy’s special vitamins and protein foods to be delivered to where she will be staying. Later He (in me) made and confirmed Nancy’s rent-a-car and Hotel reservations. God even washed some of her clothes – reluctantly. Earlier, that morning, God spent some time at the Free Store in downtown Charlotte. It is run by his friend Paul Fisher. As He does every week, God conducted a devotional bible study with some homeless folks and fed them donuts and coffee instead of loaves and fishes. Around noon He (God in me) had lunch at Dim Sum with Dennis, Paul and Nancy. Together they had a lively theological discussion. God, it seems, is quite fond of Chinese food – especially sweet and sour pork! Oops, not kosher. It’s worth noting that He left the waitress a very generous tip. God is not cheap! He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He loves to give and He wants you to have your best life NOW!
In the early evening God spent a lot time just relaxing. He rested from his labors. Later in the evening it became evident that God is fond of Netflix! He especially enjoys reruns of the TV series 24! He and Jack Bauer are in the same business – saving the world! After watching episodes for much of the evening - God (in Christ, in me) undertook reading and responding to some spiritual e-mails. Then He did some blogging and of course journaling followed by prayer! Amen! God is good! Then He curled up with a good “Christian” book by theologian Howard Snyder. As you probably know, God is very keen on intellectual and theological writings and discussions. He religiously spends countless hours daily in such pursuits. About midnight, God was seen asleep in his favorite chair with his feet propped up on his favorite ottoman.
Just this moment it struck me that I may have to rethink this, see God or Jesus by looking at me stuff. I’m somewhat uncomfortable with this new revelation. It seems like strange fire – not very evangelical. Right now I find myself in uncharted theological waters. I’m feeling uncomfortable with this new faith. “Want to see God look at me” sounds kind of brassy and showoffy! Come to think of it, I’m too unpretentious for that approach. I don’t like to be in the limelight or to bring attention to myself! I’m more comfortable with, “Want to see what God is like – don’t look at me - look at Jesus!” That’s just the kind of guy I am. Humble.
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