What is God like?

 

Soon into my Christian life I realized that my concept of God was more like my human Father than the God of the Bible revealed in Jesus Christ. My parents were told I would not live past sixteen years, so they tended to over-protect me, give me whatever I wanted, and treat me with kid gloves. At first, I thought God would be like that, and in some ways He is, but not entirely.

God is far more than even the very best people. He does protect me. Soon after He saved me, He revealed this to me:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

From that, I realized that nothing would happen to me that would harm me. If anything was not for my good, it simply would not happen. Not only that, this is God’s goal: that I become more and more like Jesus. I can remember the day that this was revealed to me and the joy that filled my heart.

But God does not always give me what I want. That old nature takes notions now and then of wanting what God forbids, or wanting what He knows would not be good for me. On the other hand, I can remember a few requests made to Him when I added, “Just because You love me” that He did grant that request. Again I experienced the joy of knowing God is generous and gracious, not to spoil me or have me treat Him as a genie in a bottle, but to always want the best for me.

He does not treat me with kid gloves. Well, He does in some ways. I’ve not experienced many horrible things that have happened to other Christians, like being burned at the stake, or beaten because of my faith, or mocked and ridiculed for trusting Christ. I’ve had sarcasm and verbal abuse only to a mild degree and I am thankful, but realize that this could increase. The most painful comes when people I love treat me as if I’m an idiot for trusting Jesus Christ. It hurts me, but much of that hurt is for their sake, not mine. My prayers are for them to know the Lord and the joy of knowing Him, not for them to believe so I will feel better.

My parents, because they thought I would not live, didn’t teach me much about life. That worked out to an advantage in that I’ve been eager to learn about life from Jesus Christ. He teaches me how to live from His Word and from the example of other Christians. I can thank Him for others who have loved me and in their life I could see the love of God and follow their example, loving them more, and others more, and Jesus more.

God also teaches me from the negatives. When I see people act in unloving ways that harm others, hurt feelings, or make me cringe, God is teaching me what not to do. This may sound like normal living for others, but for a child who was not taught how to live, every lesson is so important.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Yet even without good or bad examples, Jesus shines into hearts as the glory of God. He is enough to reveal the wonder of this God who loves us unconditionally.

PRAY: Lord, I’m tired from the process of moving, but energized from thinking about You and the very basics of Your love and care that are the foundation of my life. Thank You for being with me, in me, teaching and protecting, answering prayer, taking care of all needs. Yes Jesus, You are all I need.