Where is God?

And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. (1Kings 18:26)

Elijah challenged the Baalites to a miracle-duel on Mt. Carmel, to demonstrate to the spiritually vacillating Israelites that there really was only one God. In this tragic but comical scene, the Baalites desperately try to get the attention of their God. They cry out, dance, shout, cut themselves - but there is no answer. Elijah mocks them, suggesting that their God must be busy, or asleep.

It seems we Christians often feel like those Baalites. We think we must get God's attention. We use prayers that suggest that he is far off or distracted... "Hear our prayer, Oh Lord!" or "Come, Holy Spirit!" We talk about "coming into the presence of God" or "coming before the throne of grace" or "Heaven opening to us". We try to pray fervently, or worship enthusiastically, or give sacrificially, or fast diligently, so that God will listen and grant us favor.

These are all biblical ideas, aren't they? Well, yes, they are. They are metaphors - images of interaction with God - that can be helpful, but can also be quite harmful. If we take these ideas literally, if we believe that God really is somewhere else, and that we must go to him, or draw him to us, then we can easily become like the Baalites, pathetically crying out to the God who does not hear. Or worse, we can become proud of our spiritual prowess, our ability to get his attention when others cannot.

Jesus said he would never leave us, that his Holy Spirit would live within us. Paul writes that the Spirit within intercedes for us, and lets us know that we are God's children. Yes, God is far beyond, he is limitless. But he is not far away. He has a permanent connection with his children. His presence is within. There is no distance between his throne and our hearts. We are always before him, his face is always shining upon us, we always have his ear.

So why all the language of distance? I think it is simply the way that we feel many times. It is the language of biblical writers who did not perceive that God was near. If we feel that way, it's probably a good idea to be honest with God about it. But like David, in expressing his longing for God in so many psalms, we can move past the doubt and into the assurance of the abiding presence of God within. We don't need to get his attention - we need to give him ours!

God's still small voice speaks within. Much of our frenzied spiritual activity drowns out his voice. Our noisy efforts to get his attention deafen us. We call on him with our anxious questions and requests, and he whispers to us "Hush, child, and I will answer you!" And if we continue our vain repetitions, we will never hear him. Our greatest need so often is simply to be quiet.

Let us believe his promise. Let's trust that he is within, that he has not left us, or that he has remained in a remote heaven where he cannot hear. Let us not always be trying to get closer to God, or draw him closer to us. There is no gap between us, but there often is a gap between the way we think and act and his thoughts and actions. That is the gap to be closed. And the beginning of that movement is the assurance that he is always near, and always whispering within. Tuning in to the voice of God is the first step to aligning our path with his. Then he will have our attention, and we will see him.

God is Kind

When I went to register a domain name for this blog, I was happy to find that no one had taken godiskind.com. In fact, no one had taken godiskind.org, or godiskind.net, or godiskind.biz, godiskind.info, godiskind.us or godiskind.anything-else. That seemed odd to me. And sad. Godiskind isn't a very long or complex name for a web site. On a whim, I searched for godismad, and found that godismad.com, godismad.org, godismad.net were all registered. If domain name registrations reveal the pulse of the culture, the prevailing cyber-view of God is not so good.

I shouldn't be too surprised. Probably the most surprising aspect of God is his kindness. If there is a supreme being, a creator of the universe, we rather expect that he would be powerful and all-knowing, and... why do we assume he would be on the mean side? Because the universe is on the mean side? It's true. Living outside the protection of a community and our man made environments (houses) is called "roughing it" and it can be pretty rough. The elements are often severe.

But surely there is a gentle side to creation. The whisper of a breeze, the babble of a brook, the scamper of a chipmunk, the delicacy and fragrance of a flower - all evidence of a character that is not always harsh. There must be two sides to the creator.

Genesis says we are made in the image of God. Amongst the rabunctious energy of a young child can be found the tenderest of emotions - a tiny kiss, a snuggle, a sleepy hug. Are these glimpses of a side of God we often miss? And one we often leave behind when we "mature?"

God is kind. That word is found a few places in the Scriptures. I've listed a few of them below. The word doesn't seem very important. It's not an abstract or profound theological concept, like righteousness or longsuffering, and it doesn't carry, for most of us, the great meaning of a simple word like love, nor the mystery of a word like eternal.

No, kindness is a humble word. The Bible dictionaries say it just means simple things like good, gentle, easy, useful... gracious. One dictionary says the word was so humble that it was rarely used in speaking of a god or a king. Gods and kings don't bend down from their exalted positions to lend a hand, or give a gentle touch, or whisper some encouraging words - to show kindness. No, they usually don't do that.

With one exception. The God who is called love. The God who lowered himself as far as could be imagined and allowed himself to be abused. The God who was silent before his slaughterers. Could this self sacrificing, redeeming God also be found touching and whispering? Is the omnipotent universe creator actually gentle?

Yes, I am sure he is. For no other image of God has so deeply touched my heart. Nothing has surprised me more about this one. God is kind. Somehow, the almighty is humble. He loves his enemies.

He loved me.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (Luke 6:35)

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. (1st Corinthians 13:4)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness... (Galatians 5:22)

... so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience... (Colossians 3:12)