Kids Talk About God: What is God Like?

What is God like?

 

"God has big hands because the song says, 'He's got the whole world in His hands,'" says Kalen, age 9.

 

"God is very loving," says Lauren, 9. "I imagine he is very tall. I love him."

 

Yes, God is loving, but he's also a "sin hater," who's the "nicest man in the world," says Justin, 10. "I think he has a beard. He is not that old. He lives in heaven. Jesus is his son."

 

I'm not sure where people get the idea that God has a long, flowing beard. Maybe it's from seeing too many pictures of Santa Claus.

 

"God is like a never-ending story that you want to read again and again," says Ashley, 10. "When I hear about Him, I want to know more. Although I can't see Him, I feel Him. He is perfect and pure. I know He has felt pain and has suffered greatly to take away my sins."

 

Some people read the Bible mostly as a history book. They believe God acted in ancient times, but they think that was then, and this is now. Ashley sees all of history as "His story." For those who have eyes to see, God is just as active now as he was in the lives of his people during Bible times.

 

Ashley, meet Ashley, who's also 10 years old. While God is revealing himself to Ashley No. 1 as a continuing story, Ashley No. 2 is checking the weather: "God is like the wind. You can't see him, but you know he's there because you can see what he does. God is loving. He's like a gentle creek that won't hurt anyone. God loves us. He always loves us. He will always be with us. He is love."

 

Wind and water are great analogies, but will someone turn on the lights? asks Molly, 9: "God is like a light that shines even brighter than the sun."

 

Guess who keeps the lights burning. "God is like an energy producer because he made the world, and he is the giver of life," says Tyler, 12.

 

"God is like Jesus because God is Jesus," says Caleb, 10. "God is also like the Holy Spirit because he is the Holy Spirit, too. God is also like the Bible because it teaches us about Him."

 

Excuse me, Caleb. Which seminary did you say you'll be teaching at next year? Sign me up for your course on the Trinity.

 

"God is like an apple," says Brandon, 10. "Apples look good on the outside and on the inside."

 

I've never thought of God as an apple, but I like what Brandon said about God's consistency. We've all been fooled by people who appear outwardly to be one thing but are something else inside.

 

Duplicity is not part of God's character. In the Psalms, "forever" is the word used to describe God's name (reputation), throne (power) and word. In the New Testament, one of the most often quoted Scriptures about Jesus points to his consistency: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

 

God wants us to know him as a faithful friend whom we can depend on in every situation. Often, he allows our choices and circumstances to take us beyond our own abilities and resources so that we will turn to him for strength.

 

God is like a vine, and we are like a branch. Apart from the vine, the branch cannot receive life. In this context Jesus said, “... for without Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5c).

 

Point to ponder:

 

My life has significance only in dependence upon God. Scripture to remember: "I am the vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5a).

 

Questions to consider:

 

What is God like to you? Do you think of yourself as "something" apart from Him or as "something" in relation to Him? From where do you receive your significance?

 

     

Inspire your children by reading this column with them and visiting the Kids Talk About God website at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version and New Living Translation.

COPYRIGHT 2004 CAREY KINSOLVING