Talkin 'Bout A Revolution: The Character of God

Probably about a year ago now, a friend of mine asked me which of the characteristics of God I most readily connected with, which made the most sense to me and why.

At the time, I was momentarily flummoxed. I mean, of course I knew these characteristics, I could merrily reel off a list of them, I had even led teaching and spoke on some of these characteristics. Why was I so stumped when the question became personal?

One of the things I learnt while doing boring admin jobs (note: I mean before the job I have now, which is admin but could never be described as boring), was the ability to blag with creative flair. I can usually talk my way out of anything, in this conversation, however, I was tottally stumped.

Looking back over the last six months, some of the places I've been and the things that have happened, I can see that God has been revealing some of these characteristics of Himself to me.

One of my fave bible verse is Exodus 34:6-7, where God reveals His name, and what this means, to Moses: "And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord! the Lord! a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth, Keeping mercy and loving-kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin". (AMP)

It astounds me that God is still the same, and I have the privilege of seeing these characteristics outworking in my own life.

If I was asked the same question today, I know my response would be different. I know God is my rescuer, my protector, my healer, my provider, my inspiration. He has been consistently faithful in these things, and I'm so thankful to Him for 'bringing me out' of some difficult situations this year. I am also amazed that, even if I live to be 100, I will never be able to grasp the whole picture of who God is, He is too vast. I like the mystery in that, the potential for adventure it bestows on our lives.

I am also struck by the way that, even though God is all these things to so many people, he still knows me completely and loves me entirely. One of the things that being away with the youth group these last few days has reminded me, is that you get to a place in certain relationships when you feel really known. I've been in Wandsworth for three years now, and I keep seeing the outworkings of that longevity (which I suppose isn't even really that long in the scheme of things). The people I am close to can read the meaning behind a sentance, even if sometimes I want to hide that. They can tell by looking at me if I am tired or sad, even if I try to paint on a happy smile. They are used to my peculier words and ways of phrasing things - even the odd expressions I picked up from my Dad that no-one else in the world uses... and there is real value and a sense of acceptance in that.

It blows me away that God is like this too. He knows the depth of what I mean, not just what I choose to say. He knows how I am feeling, even before I have managed to identify or articulate the emotions. He smiles at my individuality, and encourages me to grow in it.

Someone we were chatting with yesterday talked about the difference between our personal relationship with God, and the things we do for him. He said that the latter does not facilitate or supply the former, but that the former should be our foundation, our life-source. Anything we do for Him is seperate. It's great, but it doesn't and cannot make Him love us more, or relate any differently to us. I think I need to keep reminding myself of that.