June 19, 2020

Rerun of Daily Devotional June 13, 2017

Last week, Shannon brought home the movie, The Shack.  I cried all the way through it.

My favorite part was seeing God played by an overweight African American woman.  And while I have never pictured God like this, it did make me think.

Growing up, I saw God as a very wise, very white, very old man with a long white beard.  He was sitting on a throne, dressed in a long flowing robe, and holding a long staff.

I outgrew that image long ago.

The Bible is full of images of God such as: a consuming fire, light, a lamb, a rock, a shield, a father, a hen gathering her chicks, a vine, a warrior, a shepherd, a lion, a mother bear, the list goes on and on…

How do you picture God?

The point is that no matter how we envision God, it is inadequate.  Our limited capacity can never fully comprehend the one who is called I Am.

So how do we know God?  It is through God’s son.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you know me, you will know my Father also.  From now on you do know him and have seen him.”  (John 14:6-7)

Someday you close your eyes in this world for the last time.  When you open them you will see the beautiful face of God.  Until then, trust that Jesus has already shown us everything we need to know to make that encounter possible.

That’s how much he loves you.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, thank you for sending your son into this world and into my life.  Through him, I have come to know and love you.  For this, I am eternally thankful.  And now that I know you, I live my life to please you.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

A few minutes ago, I asked Amanda and our two interns, Erica and Tristen, how they pictured God.  After hearing their answers and realizing that they have heard me preach for years, I have come to the conclusion that I am a failure as a pastor. 

Either they deserve a better pastor or I deserve a congregation that listens to what I preach.  I suspect the solution is somewhere in the middle.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins