Wednesday's thoughts

What are the implications for the idea that "God is in search for us?"

Heschel claims the idea of the divine search for the human relationship is threatened throughout the bible. It begins in Genesis in the creation story when Adam and Eve, having eaten the forbidden fruit and having realized their nakedness, hide from God. God inters the scene by asking the question, "Where are you?"

The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures ask that question on God's behalf. Where are God's people? What have they done? Where have they gone?

The Psalms carry the same message of the Divine search for humankind and the longing God has to be in relationship with us.

The New Testament picks up on this same theme. We find God so loving the world that God sends "his only begotten Son". It is the love of God that dominates the scripture not the power of God.

One of the implications for the idea that God is in search for us is the understanding that "Our God is too big". Our idea of the power of God and the might of God are so large we find we cannot relate to it.

If our God is too big we can be in awe of God but not follow God. We can worship God but not understand the relationship with God.

Heschel provides an alternative that helps us be able to understand God's power in a new way. The power of God is love. The aim of God is to be related to us.

Maybe our God is too big.

Maybe our understanding of our power and potential is too small.

God is in search of us. Is that an idea that we can learn from? Does it make sense in terms of our understanding of God?

What do you think?

If you have ideas write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your ideas click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles