Some weeks ago in this space I mentioned a few “misconceptions” we have about God. The first, and probably most misleading, is the subtle way we manipulate God into being what we want him to be.
There’s a good reason why we have this tendency. After all scripture tells us we were “made in the image and likeness of God.” Genesis 2. The apostle John tells us “we are God’s children”. Jesus tells us to call God our “Father”. All these lead us to faith in God who is a “person”.
Yes, we are made in GOD’S image, we’re “like” God. The gifts of intellect, freedom, and will make us into “persons”. He created us “like” him because he wanted to have a relationship with his creation that was personal and capable of love.
Perhaps the most powerful affirmation of God being “like us” is in the very words of Jesus. When asked by Philip, “Lord, show us the Father.” Jesus said, “Philip, when you see me you see the Father. For the Father is in me and I in the Father.” John 14:8 No wonder we start thinking “God is like us”
But, here’s where we make our mistake. God is not made in OUR image. He’s God! But that’s what we so often do… we think of God acting as we would act. And when it doesn’t happen the way we want (when something seems “too late”, or “not enough”, or “my wishful prayers go unanswered”) . . . we start to think God just doesn’t care. God is silent.
This brings us to a very important fork in the road. We can submit to the fact that, as creatures, we are given the privilege of knowing and loving God OR we can declare ourselves The Boss and be our own reason for existence.
Back to Adam and Eve . . . what was their temptation? “You will become like God.” said the serpent. They wanted a God “their way”, not as He truly is.
So what’s the solution to this tension (my way or God’s way)? It’s Jesus Christ. In him, God’s way becomes understandable and fully human. “I am the way, the truth and the life”, Jesus tells us.
My way or Christ’s way? Many walk away at this point. There was a critical moment in Jesus’s ministry when this very thing happened. He had just told the crowds that he is “the bread come down from heaven . . . the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. . . . as a result of this many of his disciples would no longer accompany him.” John Ch. 6 (read it all).
Jesus turns to the apostles and asks, “Do you also want to leave?” What a moment! It’s either go back to fishing and forget this Jesus OR SUBMIT to this man as holding the key to human life. Peter, bless him, answers, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” In other words . . . Lord there’s no words of eternal life.” In other words . . . Lord there’s no one else. YOU are God’s visitation to us.
The stakes are pretty high. This is God’s way for me OR not. This is the one I will follow OR I’ll find my own way. This is the moment of Faith. It’s a moment of surrender to the mystery of God . . . as he is . . . not as I make him to be.
But remember, in the end, this is a surrender to love. Jesus is the love of God. God’s love took on human existence to be our brother, our shepherd, our door to eternal life.
Dear God give us the grace to surrender to you just as you are. Just as we see you revealed in your Son Jesus Christ.
Don’t be afraid.
Fr Tim
