The Big Debate: Is God Mean?

Thank you to my cousin-in-law for cute picture of son.

Recently, I had the best theology debate.

Not with a Bible scholar.

Not with a die-hard atheist.

But with a very curious 3-year old.

The class was discussing the verse, “Jesus loves the children” (Mark 10:14). My co-teacher explained how God listens to the prayers of children because He loves them and is always close by. One student protested very strongly, “No, God is far away!” We tried to explain how God is all around us. He lives in our hearts and is even in the classroom. But our little friend kept arguing, insisting that God was not there. At one point, he even stood up on the carpet to make his point known. It was amazing to see such conviction from a 3-year old.

I calmly called him over. I got a piece of paper and waved it softly in front of him and said, “What do you feel?”

My very intelligent little guy said, “Wind.”

“You are right. Can you see the wind?”

“No.”

So, I waved it again making him smile.

“Can you still feel it?”

“Yes.”

“The wind is like God. We cannot see Him but we feel Him around us.”

Later, I asked him why he thought God was far away. He said because “Mean God” is far away. My response, “God is not mean. God is love. He loves you very much.”

My poor little guy looked skeptical and said, “When I’m bad, God is mad.”

Hmmm….now this internal struggle made sense.

I told my little guy, “God is not mad when we do bad. God is sad. But He never stops loving us. He doesn't want us to do bad things because it hurts us and that makes him sad. But we can pray for him to help us do good and he will help us. God loves you no matter what. And God is not far away, He is right here (and I pointed at his heart).”

My little guy smiled and said, “God loves me.”

“Yes. Always remember God loves you very much and He’s going to use you to share that Good News with many.”

How many times have we felt like this little guy?

That God is far away?

Or that “Mean God” is mad because we've messed up. Again.

While I was talking to The Lord about this post, my husband came to mind. When we get irritated, disappointed, or angry with one another, an invisible barrier is felt between us. Sometimes the hurt feelings prevent us from speaking to one another. Over the years, we have learned to break the ice with small text messages. My hubby is usually the first to send what I like to refer to as “mini love letters”. We end each message with, “Love you, XxOoXx”.  Even if our feelings don't match the text yet, we are speaking TRUTH to one another. The truth is we love each other and we are in this marriage until death do us part.

God reminded me that when we feel distant from Him, it is not God that has moved away but us. He is constant, never changing, the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

We distance ourselves when we are distracted by the world or when we have sin in our lives that make us want to hide from God, just like Adam and Eve hid after they sinned. But just like God called to Adam and Eve after they sinned, so God is calling to us. (Genesis 3:8-9) He whispers to our spirits, “Reach for My love letter. Let it remind you how much I love you.” You see, the Bible is not just a survival guide for life but it is a treasured love letter to humanity.

Now follow the example of the correct teaching I gave you, and let the faith and love of Christ Jesus be your model.  You have been trusted with a wonderful treasure. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 (CEV)

God’s is NOT mean. God is very NEAR to us.

God’s Words Are Powerful. Turn to the Lord! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near.  Isaiah 55:6 (CEV)

 Jesus answered, If a person really loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. John 14:23 (AMP)

This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 

We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. 1 John 4:13-19 (MSG)

So if you feel like my little 3-year old friend, I pray you go outside. Lift your face towards Heaven. Feel the wind on your face and say, “God, even if I can’t see you, I believe in you. I trust you. Forgive me of anything in my life that has distanced me from You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Let it rush through me like a mighty wind.  Come live in my heart and guide my life.  Thank you for giving me eternal life with You. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, Thomas, do you now believe (trust, have faith)? Blessed and happy and to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me. John 20:29 (AMP)

Love,

Yolanda