Wednesday of the 6th Week of Eastertide
Acts 17:15,22-18:1 | Psalm 148:1-2,11-14 | John 16:12-15
Since we are the children of God, we have no excuse for thinking that the deity looks like anything in gold, silver or stone that has been carved and designed by a man. (Acts 17:29)
“Daddy, what does God look like?”
Do you swallow hard, and point to the nearest stained-glass depiction of the Almighty?
“Really? He looks weird…”
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I was reflecting on this very question as I was riding the train this afternoon, when I was inspired by a whole bunch of leaves flying past the window in front of me.
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What does air look like?
Nothing, really.
Then how do we know it exists?
By its effects on the world around us;
flying leaves, soaring birds, living beings.
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As long as we live, we’ll never really understand God’s appearance. Ezekiel and John (in Revelations) painted vivid word-paintings that tried to describe their visions of God, but I think we don’t need to resort to such fantastical imagery.
All we need to do…is to look around us.
That harried mother, trying her best to care for her noisy and demanding children.
Those migrant workers quietly cleaning our block each day.
That tired face staring back at us in the bathroom mirror.
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What does God look like?
Well, us, really.
How do we know that?
Because of His effects on the world around us,
through our individual words and actions.
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“Daddy, what does God look like?”
Actually, He looks like you and me.
“Really?”
Really. Now how about we go out and show Him to the world?
Amen.