Seeing God Clearly: Letting God Be God

In a world where we often try to mold God into our own image, it's crucial to step back and see Him as He truly is – not as we might prefer Him to be. Our understanding of God shapes everything about us, from our worldview to our daily decisions. As A.W. Tozer wisely stated, "What we believe to be true about God is the most important thing about us."

At the heart of this reflection lies a profound truth: every wrong view of life begins with a wrong view of God. When we lose sight of the Creator, we spiral into sin and confusion. This world, contrary to popular belief, is not about us. It's about the glory of God. Our possessions, our achievements, even our relationships – all of these exist primarily for God's glory, not our satisfaction.

Consider the supremacy of Christ in creation. The Bible paints a vivid picture of Jesus as "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15). This doesn't mean Jesus was created first, but rather that He holds the highest rank and authority over all creation. Everything that exists – every atom, every galaxy, every nation, every human soul – exists by Him, through Him, and for Him.

This understanding reshapes our entire perspective. Your 401k? It's for the glory of God. Your house? For the glory of God. Your children? They too exist for God's glory. When we center our lives on this truth, everything falls into its proper place.

But the story doesn't end with creation. The supremacy of Christ extends to redemption as well. In a world full of religions offering various paths to reach God, Christianity stands unique. It's not about our ascent to God, but about God's descent to us. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to reconcile us to Himself. As Colossians 1:20 beautifully states, He made peace "by the blood of his cross."

This is the heart of the gospel – not our efforts to be good enough, but God's gracious gift of salvation through Christ. We can't earn it, we can't deserve it. We can only receive it with humble, grateful hearts.

The implications of this truth are far-reaching. If Jesus is truly supreme in all things, then He must be the head of the church. Not a pastor, not a denomination, but Christ Himself. He is our pioneer, the "firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18), showing us the way to eternal life.

As we reflect on these truths, we're confronted with a challenge. Are we allowing God to be God in our lives? Or are we trying to remake Him in our own image, creating a softer, more manageable deity who fits our preferences?

The reality is, God is more than just love. He is just, merciful, faithful, and yes, even jealous for His own glory. We can't pick and choose which attributes of God we want to accept. To truly know God, we must embrace Him fully as He reveals Himself to us.

This journey of aligning ourselves with the true nature of God isn't always comfortable. It often requires us to confront areas where we've aligned more closely with the culture than with God's Word. But this realignment is essential for our spiritual health and growth.

Think of it like getting your car aligned. When your car is out of alignment, it pulls to one side, making the journey difficult and potentially dangerous. Similarly, when we're out of alignment with God's truth, we veer off course spiritually. Regular exposure to God's Word and genuine worship act like spiritual alignment, keeping us centered on God's path.

This is why regular church attendance and immersion in Scripture are so vital. They help us stay aligned with God's character and purposes. When we step away from the noise of the world and focus on God as the center, we encounter Him in profound ways. We begin to see ourselves and our lives more clearly in light of His glory.

Interestingly, God's demand for our worship isn't about His ego. It's about our need. We need to worship God because it's the greatest good for us. When we truly worship, focusing on God's greatness and glory, we find our proper place in the universe. We confess our sins, realign our priorities, and experience the transformative power of encountering the living God.

As we navigate life's journey, let's commit to seeing God clearly – not as we want Him to be, but as He truly is. Let's allow the Creator to be God, submitting our preferences and cultural alignments to His supreme authority. In doing so, we'll find not restriction, but freedom. Not burden, but joy. Not confusion, but clarity.

Remember, the God who created the world is the same God who is reconciling the world to Himself through Christ. His power is matched only by His love, His justice tempered by His mercy. As we grow in our understanding of His true nature, may we echo the words of Paul in Romans 11:36: "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

Let this be our daily pursuit – to see God clearly, to worship Him truly, and to align our lives with His glorious purposes. In doing so, we'll find the abundant life He promises, centered not on ourselves, but on the One who is worthy of all praise.