Who is God?

Last week our daughter, Shannon, was given an assignment for her Bible class to write a three-page paper responding to this question: "Who is God?" She told us, "Where do you start in describing Who God is?" I'm not sure.

I know there are thousands of theologians who have filled millions of pages of books trying to describe the character of God. And I thank the Lord for those teachers and writerswho have given me a deeper understanding of the nature of God. However, I was never so touched by a description of the Lord as I was yesterday when I read what Shannon wrote at 2 in the morning. I realize that I'm biased. She's my daughter! And yet I still think she did a great job, as she told her story of how the Lord has intersected her life. Here's an excerpt from her paper:

When I started thinking of God as the image of a good shepherd, the song “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns immediately came to mind. A good shepherd watches over his flock. He deeply cares for each and every sheep. It’s mind-boggling to think that out of the 6 billion people in this world, with all our problems and faults, he deeply cares about each one of our lives. The song “Who Am I” compares human beings to a “flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow.” My favorite line is, “Who am I that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name?” These lyrics are so true. We live our self-centered lives, so concerned about all our own little futile problems that we fail to see that we are merely specks in the vast universe. However, God picks us out in the huge crowd and watches over each one of us. The lyrics go on to say, “Still you hear me when I’m calling. Lord, you catch me when I’m falling.” It just blows my mind. He delights in me and cares for me. He watches over my every step, hears my every word and knows my every thought. A scripture that comes to mind that epitomizes this concept is Psalm 8:3-4, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” This verse gives me chills. How are we worthy to be under such perfect divine care? We are not worthy. It is because of who God is, in his unfathomable mercy and love, that He cares for us in the incredible and loving way that He does.

Thank you, Shannon, for helping us see the shepherd heart of God -- through the lenses of His word...and Your precious life. Love, Dad.

In His care,

Jim