Redrawing Our Picture Of God
One day when Jesus was praying alone, the disciples came to him. “Who do the crowds say I am?” he asked them. “Some say that you are John the Baptist,” they answered. “Others say that you are Elijah, while others say that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” “What about you?” he asked them. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are God's Messiah.”
Luke 9:18-20
Dear Friends,
In his book, Discovering Our Spiritual Identity, Trevor Hudson writes that each person has a picture of God in that person’s heart and mind. In the process of gaining a clearer picture of God, the individual needs to begin a process of ‘redrawing’ his or her picture of God. Hudson writes:
“There is a picture of God drawn inside each of our hearts and minds. This picture, formed over the years through various influences, significantly shapes the way we live our daily lives. As we reflect on our ideas about God, we are invited to enter a redrawing process in which we gain a clearer view of who God truly is.” - Hudson, Trevor. Discovering Our Spiritual Identity (Renovare Resources) (p. 13). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
In the same book he later states:
“Every idea and assumption that we have about God must be measured against the person of Jesus.” - Hudson, Trevor. Discovering Our Spiritual Identity (Renovare Resources) (p. 16). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
He then proceeds to show that we see God in the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?”, they had a picture of the Messiah formed in their hearts and minds. Over the course of his earthly ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection, Jesus, the Messiah, would lead the process of “redrawing” their picture of the Messiah.
For me, this process is beginning to help me see what Hudson calls “a little Easter”. Hudson defines a little Easter as:
“Just about any time we are surprised with new possibilities for life and healing in the midst of brokenness and decay, there is a little Easter that gives us a glimpse of the resurrection power of God’s love made manifest in the crucified and risen Jesus.” - Hudson, Trevor. Discovering Our Spiritual Identity (Renovare Resources) (p. 21). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
I close with two simple questions, “What is your picture of God?” and “How will you redraw that picture of God?”
Peace,
Ricky Adams
Pastor
Peace Lutheran Church
Mill Valley, California