I become my image of God

I have often maintained that God is to us what we want God to be (see Road to Emmaus). So it was with interest that I read the following from Caryll Houselander:

There is a widespread idea today that it does not matter what our conception of God is like...but as our conception of God is, so we ourselves become. If we think God is hard, we grow hard; if we think God is a kill-joy, we become kill-joys; if we think of God as omnipotent secret police, all-present, all-seeing, all-terrible, we shrink from God, and the heart that shrinks from God shrinks to nothing. (From Lift Up Your Hearts)

Houselander's words do hold an important truth. Those whose God is severe do become severe and judgmental. Those whose God is kind and merciful are generous with mercy. And those whose God is vague and far away, well, they tend to flounder with no particular direction and no particular purpose.

In this light it is good to reflect on my image of God. Because it is the character I am taking on for myself.

My image of God

The Trinity, by Mary Grace Thul, OP

I have often maintained that God is to us what we want God to be (see Road to Emmaus). So it was with interest that I read the following from Caryll Houselander:

There is a widespread idea today that it does not matter what our conception of God is like...but as our conception of God is, so we ourselves become. If we think God is hard, we grow hard; if we think God is a kill-joy, we become kill-joys; if we think of God as omnipotent secret police, all-present, all-seeing, all-terrible, we shrink from God, and the heart that shrinks from God shrinks to nothing. (From Lift Up Your Hearts)

Houselander's words do hold an important truth. Those whose God is severe do become severe and judgmental. Those whose God is kind and merciful are generous with mercy. And those whose God is vague and far away, well, they tend to flounder with no particular direction and no particular purpose.

In this light it is good to reflect on my image of God. Because it is the character I am taking on for myself.

Better Than Light

We read in Isaiah On High I dwell, and in holiness, and with the crushed and dejected in spirit. To revive the spirits of the dejected, to revive the hearts of the crushed. (57:15)

One of the difference between the Christian religion and other religions and spirituality is the concept of God and where he dwells. Christians believe that God dwells not up in the heavens (Jewish scriptures portray him there) but in our own hearts and souls. That Jesus came to let us know the God we worship is as near to us as we are.

The concept gives us a clue to just how close God is to us. He is not content to be absent, so that we have to search for him. It is he who searches and prods us. He doesn't wait for us to call; he lends his assistance even before we ask.

So what does this mean for our spiritual journey? It means instead of living to "find" God, we must work at being "aware" of him, so close and yet so far away in our minds. Attention to his proddings, his whispers, his helping hand will only come when we awaken.

So when you are in meditation, when you are reflecting or in prayer, image God close to you. When you are questioning, speak to the God within. When you are struggling, remember, the hand stretched out to assist you is there. All you need do is stretch out your hand, and take the Hand of God. And he will be to you better than light.