Often times, the varied experiences we have from our individual religious upbringing can lead us into seeing God and faith from a rather narrow perspective. In my experience as a spiritual director, I have listened to the affects this and how it can limit ones creative imagination with, and experience of God.
Deepening Our Faith
We live unconsciously at times, with the idea that religion has largely solved all the questions of faith. This can turn faith into certitude. Understandably, thinking we know all the answers is comforting, but it can prevent us from entering more deeply into the mystery of God, and the unlimited ways God can speak to us in daily life.
Reflect on Each and Know God Is With You
I would invite you to read through this collection of thoughts on the many ways God can love us. Sit with a section or one phrase that catches your attention and ponder it for a while.
- What caught your attention?
- Does it bring to mind an experience you can relate to and think, yes this is affirming, I have thought of this as an experience of God’s love before. Or conversely,
- Does one statement cause to you think, I have been in this situation, but perhaps did not it experience it as “God with me” in that moment, why not?
These many aspects of God’s love can be brought to prayer, and we can ask God for the grace to see outside the narrow confines we can sometimes keep for our religious experiences.
The God Who is Present and Visible
- The God who pours love and energy outwards, holding all in existence.
- Found in other people: groups, in fellowship, in community
- Weaves in out of all human and natural events
- Imminent in creation
- Is accessible to all
- Open and available
- Not afraid to be bold, extravagant, seen and experienced
The God of Mystery
- The God of transcendence, totally Other, beyond our comprehension
- The inscrutable God; the God of the abyss
- Met in solitude and silence: “Be still and know that I am God.”
- Revealed in the “still small voice within” and deepest parts of ourselves
- Encountered interiorly
The God of Possibilities
- Perceives new patterns and possibilities
- Holds the largest possible picture
- Has an infinite number of ways to achieve the purposes of love
- Always finds creative ways of contacting us, stirring us, recreating and restoring
- Never afraid to take risks
- Mysterious and surprising
- Revealed in dreams, symbols, allusion and paradox
God in the Details and Incarnated
- God names and knows each piece of creation
- Comes to us through our senses: the wind’s whisper, the smile of another, the ocean’s breeze…
- Permeates ordinary life and the details of existence
- Invites us to stop and be attentive, mindful
- Asks us to embrace simplicity
- Stirs our gratitude
- Opens us to the fullness of life and its experiences
The God of Truth
- The God who is righteous, faithful and true Is infinitely just and totally impartial
- Knows, and sees everything and holds it all in existence.
- Ultimate decider, judge: the final Word
- Never fickle, capricious, or unreasonable: God as Absolute and First Cause The depth of both knowledge and wisdom The God who inspires the prophetic voice in us
The God of Mercy and Forgiveness
- Knows our hearts
- Feels the world’s pain; shares our suffering; is close to the broken-hearted The great encourager and comforter: “Comfort ye, my people.”
- Forgives our sins, gives second chances, understands.
- Kind, long-suffering, compassionate and tender.
- Holds out hope for us
- The God who calls us to peace
The God of Safety and Strength
- Brings order out of chaos
- Demonstrates an unchangeable character of purpose.
- Speaks and it is done.
- Does not vacillate; is clear, steady, and solid Chooses, calls, and acts.
- Lays before us choices and decisions: “I set before you life or death. Choose life…” Stable, ordered, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Urges us not to look forward not backward.
The God of Joy
- The One who is infinitely open, receptive and spontaneous
- The God who is flexible and open to change
- Is not hasty to judge and is slow to anger
- The God who listens deeply, observes and waits patiently for us The One who takes endless delight in us and all of creation The God whose house has many mansions
Reflection
- What aspects of God are you encountering lately?
- What aspects are you usually most comfortable relating to, praying to?
- Which aspects are most challenging for you?
- Which aspect of God who do you desire to encounter more?
