Don't put God in a box!

Have you ever tried to get between two places and found yourself going past your house?  You probably didn't need too - but that is the only way you could figure out to get between the two places, head back past your front door and then out in a different direction! We tend to stick with the familiar, go the way we are comfortable with... it might take a little longer, but I know that I can get there this way. And it's not just about directions - when it comes to ordering chinese, do you go with the tried and tested or risk something new?  How is your music or film choice?  Same artists, actors and directors? And it can be the same with God too.  We get familiar with him, we think we understand him.  We put him in a little box, one which we are comfortable with.  But with God, there is always so much more to learn, know, explore and relate to. Question 2 of the catechism blows the box to pieces!

What is God?

God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything.  He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice and truth.  Nothing happens except through him and by his will.

It is worth just reflecting on the words 'eternal, infinite and unchangeable' Eternal, speaks about time.  If we had a time machine, we could pick any point in time past or future and God would be there.  We wouldn't recognise the world - lots of things would be different.  But God would be there.  There never was a time he didn't exist; there never will be a time when he shall cease to be.  Come to think about it, he actually made time too! Infinite speaks about stuff.  Power, perfection, goodness, glory - that sort of stuff.  You can't add to God's power.  You can't make him more perfect or glorious.   His knowledge is perfect.  He never learns anything new.  He never has to bluff when he speaks, hoping that he has said the right thing.  His love is infinite, so he never acts in a way with is unkind, unfair, unloving. Unchangeable is what happens when eternal meets infinite.  When time, never ending, collides with infinite power, perfection, goodness and glory.  You see time has this wearing affect - as time marches on, our bodies become frail, or minds aren't as sharp as they used to be, even our wills can become stubborn.  But time shall never, ever wear down that which is infinite.  You can't take anything away from that which is infinite.  You may try, but it will have no effect.  So God doesn't grow weaker, his glory will never be tarnished, his truth will always stand.  He is unchangeable. And that, blows my mind! So don't put God in a box, rather allow him to stretch your mind.  And as he does so, you will find that you know that he is someone who you can trust with your life and your death.  He is someone who is worthy of your worship.  He is one who deserves your service.