How long have we been at angst over the question of “Who is God”? Currently it is estimated that there are over 4000 different religions in the world, and it is estimated that approximately 85% of the world’s population subscribes to faith of one kind or another. Clearly having a Faith has a huge impact on not only each individual but also communities, society and the entire globe. We interpret the (our) world and the events of the world through our faith. We make our decisions and choices based on the Faith that we subscribe to. Even in not belonging to a specific Faith tradition, we find that we still hold to a Faith of some kind … Faith that … there is no god … so therefore our faith spaces become filled with reasoning and the belief structure that humanity is intrinsically good, and that humanity will ultimately either look after itself (and the world) or self-destruct.

I have been thinking a lot about this lately. I am troubled by so much that I see and by humanities’ failing levels of trust in one another. The truth is so unclear and the lies so wonderful that it is impossible to be able to discern what is right and wrong, what is good or bad. So how can we even begin to move forward? Where is safety? Where is hope? Where is God?

For thousands of years people have been killing each other over the question of God. and for thousands of years longer people have been attempting to appease God … a God who remains somewhat unknown to all of us. We have exhausted so much energy and so much time in trying to define who God is and all we have ended up doing is creating division, causing harm and leaving destruction in our tracks.

I wonder … could it be that we are asking the wrong question?

Could it be that it’s time we stop trying to prove that we have the answer on who God is and actually understand the existence of God by seeking out the answer to the better question … What is God?

You see, I think it’s there that we can all at last make our peace and find our unity. It is by distilling the attributes of God that we might be able to find common ground and harmony.

There are many things that God can be and indeed God has many attributes. God is powerful and angry; God is also kind and generous, playful, mysterious, jealous and possessive and tender and creative and on and on …

Ultimately though, a god who lacks any expression of love is a God who cannot exist for long. This kind of God will be hated and will be run away from.

Ultimately, God must be love. And because of love, all those other attributes are displayed.

As humans, we have the power to exercise our free will. Culturally, socially, politically and religiously this free will of ours is often taken from us or hidden under rulings and obligations. None the less, it remains ours if we had the courage and opportunity to seek it out. As free-thinking creatures, we make choices. We actually choose our God. Many choose to wear different hats for different occasions… choose different gods to justify their positions at specific points. So, I guess a test must be imposed to ensure that we are not being led astray. For me I have answered the question of ‘What is God?’ in the same way that I have answered the question ‘Who is God?’ … and my answer to that question is … love. So that becomes my test. Is how I am living reflecting God? Is who I am reflecting God? Is who I am and how I am living … loving? With all the attributes of what love is, being exercised in the right time? I can make all the excuses in the world to justify all my negativity and my resistance to being loving, but in the end, unless God is love … reality is, I have no hope and nor do you …