Reasoning that “because we are like this so must God be like this. In brief, we are made in God’s image (in the true sense of the word: an image being a two-dimensional representation of a three dimensional reality… read “Flatland” for a more thorough philosophical explanation of this topic.)

The doctrine of Imago Dei usually refers to our capacity for reason, abstract thinking, relational need and ability, awareness of a higher power, and relational needs. Much more, however, it refers to God’s concern for us, as we are beings made in his image. And because of this, a human life is a very sacred thing.

Enough of that digression. here is part two of my 9 things. Read part 1 here.

4. Forgetfulness

He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations… Psalm 105:8

I forget things. Namely I forget my promises. I miss meetings, forget birthdays, drop appointments, don’t follow through on many vows. This lets people down and causes them pain.

God always remembers his promises. He always follows through on them. He will never let you down.

Some people feel let down by God. There are many possible reasons for this. Some common ones are that one can expect something from God which he never promised. This is very dangerous to one’s faith. Another is that we are often let down by people and project this on God. This connection is usually strongest with parents, especially fathers.

This lack of faithfulness on my part continually reminds me that I am weak. It also makes me thankful that God is completely faithful.

5. Spatial Finiteness

For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? – Deuteronomy 4:7

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:20

I cannot be everywhere at once. I can only do so much. Very often I must make choices between two good things to be doing. Sometimes this lets someone down. Sometimes I have to let a good opportunity go by. This is a common experience. We like to typify it in action movies where the hero must choose between saving the girl or the crowd…

God is Spirit. He is not limited by space or time. He is near to his people. He is near those who call to him.

9. Doing Wrong

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Jesus

This statement of Jesus (during the sermon on the mount) is crushing. In order to obtain heaven, you must be perfect. If you’ve never done a wrong thing in your life, leave a comment. (I thought not.)

God is perfect, by definition. He is righteous (that means, always right, never wrong…) Every time I screw up, I am reminded that I am not like God (I am a sinner).

More to come.

The last few weeks of reflection have brought something to mind that was a fairly interesting revelation to me. It wasn’t an all-at-once sort of realization, but more of a compilation of many thoughts I’ve had over the last couple of years. This post (series) is an exercise in thinking through it more clearly, and also is a type of confession.

I’m splitting this up into several posts, not as a traffic gimmick or something, but because of time constraints.

It should be known that the God I speak of is the God of the Christian Bible. This is the subject of another post altogether. Perhaps I’ll get there at the end of this. Hang with me.

The first three things that remind me that I’m not God:

1. Hunger

I dislike being hungry. It reminds me that I am a mortal creature that is dependent on the world around me. It reminds me that we have to work very hard to produce food (or produce cash to buy food, or earn cash to buy food). Ultimately it reminds me that it used to not be this way, and that someone else is in charge of my life.

This causes me to try to avoid feeling hungry. Whenever I feel even slightly hungry, reflexively, I eat, to try and re-assert some dominance over my domain. Rarely, if ever, do I allow myself to simply sit with the feeling, and reflect on the fact that I am a dependent creature. This is why I am overweight (not grossly so… 225lbs at 6’2″, but enough that it reminds me of all these things.)

2. Sleep

At certain points during the day, especially in the evening, my productivity drops to nil. I am forced to cease activity, and surrender to an overwhelming urge to sleep. I can stave this off with drugs (caffeine), but not for long, and always with longer term negative consequence. Prolonged periods of wakefulness actually drive human beings insane.

This, like hunger, reminds me that I am a weak, mortal creature. It also reminds me that I serve a God who never slumbers nor sleeps, which is comforting. But ultimately humiliating (which is also a good thing).

3. Lack of Knowledge

I hate not knowing something. Deep down a part of me hates people realizing that I don’t know something. (Yes, this is ridiculous.) Two tendencies result from this.

1. I try to know a little about everything. Dangerous, and ridiculous.
2. At times, I will speak about something that I know nothing about as if I knew about it. Also dangerous and ridiculous.

I try to read as much as I can and have a finger on the pulse of “culture” (the world around me, current events, trends, fashions, music, etc…). This is an endless pursuit and can get a little out of hand for me from time to time. The funny thing is, I feel like a bit of a failure when I don’t keep up. The failure? Failure to be God.

This is a reminder that I serve an omniscient God.

More to come.