A Visible God

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see." Colossians 1:15-16a

A beautiful timber filled with plants and animals is nestled behind our home. I never tire of gazing at God's gift of nature.  Deer, fox, turkeys, rabbits, owls, squirrels, raccoons, possum, along with many other animals frequent our yard on a regular basis. Particular times of the day like dawn and dusk offer some of the best opportunities to observe these critters in their habitat. I must admit that after it snows, I can't wait to glance out the window to see what occurred overnight. Tracks coming from every direction with footprints of all kinds have been traced through the snow. It's as if there was a party going on in the backyard while I quietly slept the night away. The animals in all their glory found our yard inviting and left reminders for us that they had been there.

Often times I find myself searching and wanting a visible human-like God. Visible is the part that gets a little tricky.  When I think of a person being visible in my life, I think about the ability to see, hear, or feel. Is our God visible in our lives?  No, we can't see, hear, or feel from a human aspect, but we can trust that He is a visible God from a divine ascertain. We see and hear this visible God through the love and actions of others. We feel this God through the Holy Spirit that lives within us that connects us to God every living moment of our lives. Often we don't even realize He has been at work in our lives, until later when we see the results of a journey we have trodden.

Rest assured that God is a visible God in our lives. Like the animals that play in our backyard whether there is snow to prove they were there or not, God is always there. I do believe that God understands our moments of doubt, just as I wonder do the animals come every night?  But, he has equipped us with all we need to believe and understand that He is here with us, and refuses to give up on us even when we doubt.

Let us pray:

Visible and Loving God,

At those moments when we doubt from a human perspective, remind us that You are divinely visible in our lives in so many different ways. Thank you for the ways You allow us to see, hear, and feel Your presence daily.  Guide us to be active problem solving servants that see, hear, and feel the pains and needs of others as you send us out to reflect Your divine presence and visibility.
Amen