As a child even the thought of a church and God were imposing things. The sheer size and proportions of church buildings overwhelmed my senses. The huge gray or white stone buildings, dark wood, and unending pipe organ combined to silence and put a mantle of fear and awe in this kid! While I am confident I was often not quiet, the lasting memory is of silence, a particular smell, hard wooden pews that felt smooth and soft, and older women who cared deeply.
As I walk the streets of downtown Chicago, there is a perfect example of what church has become for many. You can almost discern the church fighting to emerge from building itself. The church has morphed from a traditional gray stone structure into a tall tower of business and commerce with street level stores. The modern structure surrounds, are architecturally consumes, the traditional church entrance that is clearly struggling to emerge from within the center of the block. The metaphors are clear for all to understand. God is part of life, however, it is important to strike a balance and make sure that one completes the duties of life.
I am not sure anyone really knows what God is like anymore. The God of my childhood is gone, lost in the pursuit of success or survival. The stereotypes of religion are increasingly irrelevant to everyone, including those who want to believe. Is God something lost to the golden age or found within?
I have no idea where the God of my childhood went. I do know that God is alive and kicking! My God is engage in the business of life; living out the joys and wrapping Her arms around me when the pain seems overwhelming. Just when I think I have Him pegged, something new happens! Solomon noted the some more unexpected aspects of God's interactions with others.
“Day and day I [Wisdom] was there, with my joyful applause, always enjoying his [God's] company, delighted with the world of things and creatures, happily celebrating the human family.” (Proverbs 8.30, 31)
Surprise!
