Defining God

   We want to know what things are, how they work and how they affect us.  It bothers us when we can’t define or understand something.  As much as we like to know all about everything in our life there is one aspect of our life that defies definition.  That one thing is God.  We may think we know Him and understand Him but that’s only our pride talking.  It’s not humanly possible to fully know and understand the omnipotent, all-powerful God of the universe.  Our minds simply can’t grasp it.

   Yet we still try to define God.  In trying to better know and understand Him we try to envision our God in human terms.  How we define God can impact our relationship with Him.  I believe there are two distinct areas of trying to know God that affects how we relate to Him and how we believe He relates to us.

   First, how do we envision God.  If we see God as a strict disciplinarian we will find it hard to like Him.  After all, who likes someone who is always looking for any wrong that is done with an eye to punishing the wrong-doing.  On the other hand if we envision Him as a kindly old grandfatherly God we may not have the proper concern for following His laws and His will for us.  The awe and respect God deserves may suffer.  We need to stop trying to classify Him by our human definitions and understandings.  He will never fit any mold that we can imagine so the effort is futile.

  Secondly, how do we approach God in our life?  Where do we look for Him and how do we find Him?  If we think God is only in church, we risk failing to recognize Him in our daily life.  If we believe He is everywhere all the time we may fall into the trap of believing proper worship and praise in an organized manner is unnecessary.  It’s important to know that He is everywhere but at the same time understand that proper respect and worship is needed in our spiritual life.

   God is all things and does all things in my life.  If I’ve sinned I look to Him as a loving, forgiving God.  If I’m uncertain He is my strength, my certainty.  When ill He is the physician; when hurting He comforts me.  When I have failed Him, he is my conscience reminding me of Him and His laws.  Yet He will also allow me to ignore, disrespect and disobey Him if I choose.

   He longs to welcome us into His kingdom but there is a price of entry.  Money, wealth, fame or fortune can’t gain us entry into that kingdom.  The price is love.  Love of God means that we want to obey Him; we want to follow His precepts and laws.  If we love Him we are saddened when we disappoint Him by our actions and hurry to go to Him asking forgiveness of our sins.

   To seek God is to see Him in all things.  He is within us; in our hearts, our minds and our souls.  We simply need to look toward Him and He is there.  I love and am amazed by a God who is within me.  My heart also desires always to go to Him in His house, His Church, and worship Him and give Him all praise and glory.

   God is all things and is in all places.  Best of all He is within us, guiding, protecting, loving and forgiving us.  We need not try to define Him; just love Him in our heart, our mind and our soul.  There is only one definition we need concern ourselves with; God is Love.