Understanding that God’s presence is often hidden in a spiritual cloud is perhaps the greatest realization possible. Like the Israelites at Sinai, most of us can’t bear more than a mere shadow of God’s glory. We prefer “dark sayings” over the most spectacular encounters.
When I experience the beauty God’s character, I find that faith is an experience that happens to me, not something I make happen.
Considering the direction our world is headed, an impending flood-like crisis doesn’t sound far-fetched. How can we escape the coming catastrophe? When will God finally act? What hope do we have?
We tend to envision God as acting to solve all our problems, as an omnipotent being who will support us in meeting our every need. Poor God, He likewise needs us in times like these. He needs us to be faithful witnesses who support His character of love and justice in the world.
My faith is not in a God who will solve all my problems or save me to an afterlife while condemning unbelievers for eternity. I have faith in something else.
Why would God so fully detest a form of Christianity that He would call it a whore, a drunk, and a wrathful brawler? Why would God rejoice over its demise?
Before terms such as social justice existed, God laid down the Sabbath texts that include green ecology laws as well as commands to care for the poor, not oppress the sojourner, and treat animals equally on the Sabbath. You don’t have to accept liberal theology to validate these ideas. God wants us to be known for our acts of kindness and healing, not our individual politics.
I recently came across a cartoon that portrays the famed horsemen of Revelation aside a fifth horse and rider named “Misinformation,” which illustrates the pandemic.
“Do no harm. Do all the good you can. Stay in love with God.” — John Wesley
However, God wants us to recognize that He sees, that His peace and joy can alleviate the shadows of pain and distress. We are sought after and kept by the most powerful Lover in the universe.
