Pastors Note
Let me start back with a bold question ... how close do you feel to God? Do you think He cares about you, is he interested in your life, does your life matter to him? (Ok there were four questions there!) Most people when surveyed admit to believing in God, but are not sure in what type of God. Can I share with you an extract from an excellent book entitled: ‘God is Closer than you Think’ where the author seeks to answer some of the questions I posed earlier?
In the opening chapter he refers to a visit he made with his wife to the Sistine Chapel in Rome. This is what he writes about Michelangelo’s famous painting.
‘If you look carefully at the painting, you notice that the figure of God is extended toward the man with great vigour. He twists his body to move it as close to the man as possible. His head is turned toward the man, and his gaze is fixed on him. God’s arm is stretched out, his index finger extended straight forward; every muscle is taut. Before Michelangelo, art scholars say, the standard paintings of creation showed God standing on the ground, in effect helping Adam to his feet. Not here. This God is rushing toward Adam on a cloud… It is as if even in the midst of the splendour of creation, God’s entire being is wrapped up in his impatient desire to close the gap between himself and this man. He can’t wait. His hand comes within a hairbreadth of the man’s hand… Having come that close, he allows just a little space, so that Adam can choose. He waits for Adam to make his move… all he would have to do is lift a finger.’
I found that fascinating. Is that your image of God? (O dear another question!) I genuinely believe it is a Biblical view of God.
I love this passage from Psalm 103
He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who revere him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who worship him;
As Tony Campolo once quipped, ‘God is so crazy about you he keeps a picture of you in his wallet!’
As we begin this new term can I encourage you to explore these claims? I promise you it will be worth the effort.
All the best