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Former ATI Students answer, “Who Is God to You?” (part 1 of 2)
Recently, as I pick up my Bible, or just turn my thoughts toward God in a casual prayer, the questions “Who are you God?” and “What are you all about?” come to mind. Almost immediately, I feel the question “who am I to you?” come right back to me.
At first, I thought it rather odd. And being confronted with that question made me nervous. Who is God to me? What if my answer is “wrong”? I was promptly comforted though. The truth – the truth about how I feel – is there. Right or wrong, the answer lay deep in my soul. To not answer would be denial. And giving rote answers isn’t good enough – regurgitating some verbiage I’d been trained to say, but not necessarily what I understood or embraced. Over time as I’ve pondered “who is God to me,” I’ve found my answer fluctuates a bit . . . depends on what I’m going through, and what facet of God is more noticeable at the time. More on that later.
Curious about how others would answer this question, I asked a group of former Advanced Training Institute (ATI) students and Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) participants, “Who Is God to You?” And here, dear Reader, they share their thoughts with you. You will find that their answers span most of the faith spectrum–including those whose pursuit of truth has led them away from the Christian faith. While you may not agree with or understand some answers, please know that they are honest ones. Without further ado . . .
I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I find myself focused more on Christ because His life here on earth seems simple for me to understand. His compassion, mercy and love to everyone, no matter who or what or where they are in life. This was lacking in my life growing up in ATI. Sure I knew Christ loved the sinner, so I did as well. But how many believers did I dismiss from my life because they didn’t match up to what I thought they should be. It’s not even up to me! Yet Christ showed mercy to his disciples even when He knew they would fail him miserably. He did not throw stones–why should I? As for the Holy Spirit, I can feel Him in my life so I talk to Him and ask Him for help. It’s amazing how helpful He actually is! I would say that my relationship with the Trinity is more real now than it ever was when I was memorizing chapters of Scripture and fasting. I am loved–in all my imperfectness!”
I used to see God the way I viewed my earthly father, ready to punish and reject for every little innocent mistake. I am trying now to see Him more as a God of love, grace, and forgiveness.
To me, God is a steadfast rock. When I question and wander away, He is there waiting for me to find my way back. When I need a place to throw my anchor, He never moves. When I need something that stays the same in a world where everything is constantly changing, He has never moved. I could go on . . . .
God is the Creator and the Light and the Darkness of myriads of universes including this one–including my galaxy, my solar system, and my earth. He is beautiful, omnipresent, all-powerful, and all-knowing. Christ is His Son, deity made human for a brief period of time to deliver the message of salvation. God is triune. To be honest I am not a big lover of constantly dividing and dissecting the Trinity, but the Holy Spirit is what moves our hearts. He is Love. He’s very, very good, 100% crystal-clear kind of good. I know this from what Christ has taught. I love Him and I am afraid of Him. Not in a ‘chicken’ kind of way of course; it’s respect, awe, and the overwhelming realization of how small I am. I love going to planetariums and not being able to even come close to wrapping my head around the fact that all those galaxies and universes are like dust to Him. And yet–here i am, 5’6” tall–a speck. And I can talk to Him. ♥
God is good, and everything he does is good. His definition of good does not always measure up to what I view as good, but that’s why he is God and I’m not. I used to put God under the category of ‘good,’ when in fact, ‘good’ is under the category of God. I’ve gotten to know the real God and not the guilt-based, fear-driven one I was raised with. Because I’ve gotten to know him, I can now trust that he’s watching out for me, and he’s about grace–not rules.”
God is the creator and sustainer of all. He is Love and Good. He is literally life to all of us.
To me God is my best and most faithful friend. Just when I think I know Him, He has more grace, love, and righteousness to reveal to me. Nothing I’ve done has decreased this love, and He has always been ready to comfort me and sustain me in my times of need.”
My savior, friend, back-up, safe place, protector.
God is love.
I used to be able to undeniably answer that question. Now I’m not so sure. I think, for me right now, He is the redeemer, the restorer. There’s so much about Him I don’t understand, but this I do know: He makes everything beautiful in its time. He takes everything ugly and scary and terrible and turns it into something beautiful. Every time and season has value . . . a time to be born and a time to die. All these things can be beautiful for me if I let Him redeem them. He makes everything new.”
Even as I am reading over these quotes, preparing this article to be published, I am struck by how some people can speak with such confidence, certainty, and conviction of who God is. So solid, bold, and resolute. I found myself starting to envy them. But stopped. I am less bold, but not less sure of God’s presence in my life. I do not speak the language of theologians, but my experiences prove to me God’s existence and his love and care for me.
So, who is God to me? He is my refuge, my safe place. In His faithfulness, He clung to me when my faith was too weak to hold on. When I’ve been weak, He’s carried me through. He is ever present, and seems to prove Himself over and over to me in ways that would likely seem insignificant to others. I am also starting to see Him as being much more than just the Creator of all, but also that he indwells all – the ocean, the wind, the mountains, the trees. I find myself letting go of the struggle to figure out God and try to change myself to fit my perception of who I think He wants me to be . . . and instead, just start noticing Him in the world around me.
We will continue with more on this topic next week. In this article, we were able to include only about half of the responses we received to the question: Who is God to you? So, there’s more yet to come!
In the meantime, I leave you to ponder, “Who is God to you?” Please feel free to share your thoughts!
oh wow... this is a great question. i think my answer will vary from day to day. today, i think i'd like to say that He is my Rescuer and my Safety. i used to fear Him. not like a reverencing fear. but a "looking-over-my-shoulder" fear. today, though... today, i feel safe in His arms.
I know what you mean. Sometimes I still have those nagging thoughts or fears that God is out to teach me a lesson or that there is a limit to His goodness (where would I ever have gotten that idea?). Such a relief to shed that kind of fear! I love how you phrased that "today" you feel safe in His arms. :) Reminded me that that's how we/I need to live life . . . one day at a time.
God is my Best Friend!!! He does things in my life to help me out. I know that the world is cursed and He doesn't save me from everything but I know that He is there with me during everything and helps me through.
I am blown away with the idea that "God is love."
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall SEE God."
So "love" is a picture of God for those whose hearts are pure and not judgmental, who desire to be the neighbor rather than those who are wondering who they "have" to consider as their neighbor. God lives in me and so perfect love lives in me and when I allow that love to come out than God is revealed in a small way to me and others.
I do realize that God is much more than simply and idea or a love as a verb. But I can see a small part of him when I see someone giving sacrificially with genuine love.
God's Love . . . so simple, yet so abundant, all-consuming, and mind-boggling. Thank you for sharing!
I'm in my late 30's and have a family of my own and I still instinctively feel like God is like my earthly dad - one who will set me up to fail and then vent anger on me and put me down.
Recently, Psalm 23 has been very meaningful. The Lord is my shepherd. He will lead me. He will restore me. He will protect me. It doesn't mean I never walk through a valley but even in the valley, he is still my shepherd.
At this point I can say assuredly that He never lets me go. I'm still working out the rest.
[...] we introduced the topic: Who Is God to You? This week will continue with the responses we received from former students of the Advanced [...]