Section 1.1: Misconceptions of God

Throughout history, various flawed representations of God have emerged, none of which are grounded in scripture. Examples include:

• A wrathful God who seems to harbor resentment against His creation, always demanding more without satisfaction.
• An indifferent deity who created the universe only to vanish from it entirely.
• A politically motivated God, who celebrates our victories in arguments or aligns with our preferred media outlets.
• A God of social niceties, urging us to maintain a facade of happiness while suppressing our true emotions.

These imagined deities do not reflect the true, unchanging God who reigns supreme.

Section 1.2: Our Distorted Perception

We often perceive God through a distorted lens, mistakenly equating Him with the flawed nature of those around us. In our quest to comprehend the complexities of life, we craft narratives that may not accurately depict reality. Our environment is filled with contradictions and intricacies that can skew our understanding.

In our interactions with others, we often form quick judgments based on incomplete information, failing to grasp their full stories and intentions. Unfortunately, we extend this flawed reasoning to our understanding of God.

Section 2.1: God's Pursuit of Us

God actively seeks to reveal His authentic nature to us. Through His Word, He calls us back, and the testimonies of His followers testify to His greatness and love.

When we view Him as unforgiving and indifferent, scripture reminds us of His true intentions:

“Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.” (2 Samuel 14:14, NIV)

God's desire is to draw us closer to Him, offering life and hope.

Section 2.2: The Importance of Learning

Understanding God is an ongoing journey that requires both learning and unlearning. Through consistent prayer and reflection, we can revise our misconceptions and embrace the revelations that lead to a renewed mindset.

The more we seek to understand God for who He truly is, the more we recognize His inherent goodness and love.

In the video "David: Insecurity - Is It Just My Imagination? | Pastor Tim Bourne," we explore the internal conflicts that can distort our view of God and ourselves.

The nature of God is beautifully articulated in Exodus:

“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.’” (Exodus 34:6, NIV)

This passage encapsulates His essence, contrasting sharply with the distorted images we may hold when faced with feelings of anger, abandonment, or fear.

Section 2.3: The Dissonance of Expectation

At times, God may feel distant as we grapple with our desire for immediate results. In a world that values quick gratification, we often forget that His timing and thoughts are far beyond our comprehension:

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 58:9, NIV)

Our impatience can lead to frustration, causing us to seek control over God or even reject Him altogether. We may prefer to create a god that aligns with our desires rather than accept His true nature.

Section 2.4: The Dangers of Religious Habits

Alternatively, we might adopt a moralistic approach, focusing on good deeds and pious practices while neglecting a genuine relationship with God. Our self-perception can become another idol, as Oswald Chambers warns:

“Your god may be your little Christian habit, the habit of prayer at stated times, or the habit of Bible reading. Watch how your Father will upset those times if you begin to worship your habit instead of what the habit symbolizes.”

The ultimate goal is to cultivate a meaningful connection with the real God, rather than merely adhering to a set of routines.