What Does God Look Like?

Shalom!

I was reminded earlier today of a funny story I have heard before. I want to share it with you:

A kindergarten teacher was walking around observing her classroom of children while they were drawing pictures. As she got to one girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But nobody knows what God looks like." Without looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

None of us can acurately describe what God really looks like. Does He have a long, flowing beard, white hair, and a wise face that looks like it is 75 years old? Is He light with no actual body shape at all? Is He like the wind - having no shape or appearance, but more of a feeling? You know He's been there because you saw the effect of His presence around you. Much of our ideas of what God looks like comes from childhood stories, Bibles with pictures in them, and cultural influences. We have a need to see God in human form as someone we can feel, touch, and hear.

God knows this need within. To show us what He looks like, Jesus came to be with us. It is through Jesus that we see God. While Jesus is God, it is less about His physical appearance than it is about His character, His essence, His being. God looks like grace, love, mercy, justice, joy, compassion, peace, hope, gentleness. He looks like strength, courage, security, and steadfastness.

Jesus embodied these values, exuded these values, and lived these values. Jesus calls us to do the same. It is God's plan that we "be conformed to the likeness of his Son" (Romans 8:29). Even in this life we "are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul told the church in Ephesus that our goal is "attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

Over these next two weeks, we are going to have the opportunity to share with our community what God looks like. This weekend is Sharefest where over 300 volunteers from 14 different churches will be coming together to help our neighbors who are in dire need. While we will be doing various jobs like yard work, plumbing, repairs, rock work, etc. - the real work of the weekend will be intentionally entering into relationships with those in our community and showing them what the love of God looks like.

Next weekend, FUMC will be taking part in our annual Blossom Outreach by transforming our parking lot into a safe haven for children and families to enjoy being together and giving them a place to watch the parade. Free activities for kids are just ways in which we can reach-out and demonstrate our love for our neighbor and community and how that love generates from our relationship with God.

What does God look like? Jesus. You and Me when we stay connected to Him and follow Him with our lives.

Dear Jesus, I want to keep trying to be like You. I want to show the world what You look like. Give me courage to reflect Your true nature in all I do and say. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Take Care & God Bless,

Pastor Don