God is…

I grew up in church and somewhere along the way I developed some incorrect beliefs about God. Whether I was taught, or just caught these things on my own, I am unsure; but God’s Word has done some serious weeding in my mind.

I was taught, “God is sovereign.” This is true, but I heard it incorrectly. I thought everything that happened was God’s plan and there was nothing I could do about it.

Even today I hear people saying “God is sovereign”, and then they speak of something bad that has happened, such as contracting an illness, having an accident, or possibly even a death. They don’t understand why the incident occurred, so they say, “God is sovereign,” assuming everything that happens is what God chooses.

I agree God is sovereign, if we are saying, “God has all power,” but God doesn’t control us. He allows us to make our own choices.

And when we search the Bible, we find God is good (Romans 2:4), “God is love” (1 John 4:8), God is a good Father (Matthew 7:11), and all good things come from God (James 1:17). If bad things happen, God is never the One to blame.

As a child, I regularly heard, “God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.” Once again, my childish mind interpreted these truths incorrectly.

God is omniscient (He knows everything) told me “God knows every bad thing I’ve done!”

And concerning his omnipresence (He is everywhere), I imagined it meant, “God is watching so I’d better be good!”

And about God’s omnipotence (He is all-powerful), I thought, “He’s strong and powerful and could squash me with his little finger!”

God’s attributes should have made me feel loved and safe instead of making me afraid and insecure.

What I should have been learning is, “God is omniscient – He wants to know me because I am His child!”

“God is omnipresent – He never leaves me because He wants to be with me!”

“God is omnipotent – He is all-powerful and He will take care of me!”

I’m thankful God’s Word has taken my incorrect perception of God and taught me what a loving and kind Father He really is.