A few weeks ago I asked our eighth graders this question: If you could ask God any question, what would it be? The responses were interesting. There were what I would classify as ‘surface questions’ such as, ‘do you exist?’ to deeper ones such as, ‘how do you forgive people?’ I always enjoy reading the answers to questions such as these because they give me a glimpse into their heads and let me in on what and how they are thinking (about).
One response that has stuck with me was this question: ‘What do you look like?’ My first thought was…where has this kid been? Don’t they know that God is pure Spirit? God doesn’t have a ‘face’. And then, I began to think……it’s really a very good question after all, ‘What does God look like?’
Does God look like our religious leaders of the world? The ones who make, enforce (and break) our many rules? Does God look like those who are in authority? Does God look like the wealthy and famous, those people who ‘have it all?’ Or, does God look like the poor who beg for food each day in order to feed their children? Does God look like the people lying in hospital beds clinging to life? Does God look like the downtrodden who struggle to get out of bed because each day holds no promise, no hope? Does God look like our children who fight to hold on to their childhood in a very ‘grown-up’ world?
What does God look like? Whose faces reflect God? When I look in the mirror today, do I see God?
Reflections on the Journey 
Great question!! When I was about 2 or 3 years old, I used to picture God as a huge mermaid. I have no idea why, but the idea still interests me. Your closing line is compelling…beautifully said & something to reflect on.
God looks like love.
What does love look like?
God bless.
Picturing God raises a similar question. We strive to find God in the world around us, so children and adults, the rich and the poor, can all point us toward encounters with the divine.
I agree with Jade that your closing line is compelling.
It seems there are so many answers to this question, depending on the person, the life lived, the situations. The image can range from a sunset to an expression in someone’s eyes, to a feeling that merely gives us perspective. Interesting contemplation this Thursday.
Great thoughts Andie. I’ve seen God reflected in the lives of many people I’ve encountered and I pray others see Him reflected in me also.
Godde for me looks like the Beloved. But when I was five years old, he looked like Moses on a throne in heaven.
This is a lovely post, Andie. Thank you. Godde is also undoubtedly in everyone. I find her most easily among marginals. I just have to remind myself that She is also in the rich 🙂
I think He looks like anyone of humble spirit who tries to live a holy life, who tries to imitate Jesus.
This is such an honest question. I would like to know, wouldn’t you? I love the Jewish tradition of Midrash that teaches to ask questions this way. We have a children’s book written by a rabbi called, Does God have a Big Toe? the Bible stories in it are kind of written that way…weird answers to our questions. It’s a lot of fun.
Enjoy your day!