God is like ______________?

Many today are in a search to know what God is like.  And, I think the search is justified.  It is a longing deep within to know God, and to know what He is like.  God has been portrayed, spoken of, and projected to be many a thing, object, emotion, etc.  Often times, these descriptions can characterize God in confusing ways.  Have you ever been confused about God?  Have you ever wondered what God is like?

I’ve encountered many people over the years who wrestle with the nature of God.  They project a picture upon God and are left confused.  They are subsequently lead in a direction away from God…because who they think God is lands up being nothing like who God actually is.  Our projections of God can be caused by any number of things.  For some, its an image of an earthly parent, a pastor, a church leader, a picture from an old movie or a personality in a novel, a well intentioned book by a church leader – again, it can be any number of things.

For those who have a background in the Christian movement OR are actively part of Christianity I have some wonderful news:  we have zero need for confusion.  We can delight in a profound verse found in the Gospel of John.  This verse can clear up any confusion that has been created in the 2000 years since Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,^[a] who is close to the Father’s heart,^[b] who has made him known. John 1:18 NRSV

The person of Jesus clears up any confusion about who God is.  The Gospel of John declares with profound clarity: No one has ever seen God except for Jesus.  And, Jesus has made God known.

I’m not saying that my journey with God has no mystery to it – far from it!  There is lots of mystery to the journey of faith in God.  But, what I am saying is, I’m rarely ever confused about the nature of God towards me (and everyone else).  Through Jesus I can see that God is love.  Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus I can see the glorious story of God unfolding within human history and it fills me with hope, peace, delight and power for daily living.

I can live more passionately about the things God is passionate about because I can see it in Jesus.  I can live more compassionately because I can see where and to whom God desires compassion.  I can live with far more grace than in previous years because I see how grace filled Jesus was.  I can be transformed from my previous desires of life that simply missed the mark (the real meaning of the word sin) that led to death, discouragement, and brokenness.

If you are living with any confusion of the nature of God and are struggling to fill in the blank: God is like ____________________?  May I encourage you to take up your Bible again and read the glorious Good News (Gospels) of Jesus?  My hope is that it will breath life into your journey with God as you uncover His nature and His deep love towards you and those around you.  And, I believe you’ll be able to fill in the blank: God is like JESUS.