Listen

But you, my Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy; you are very patient and full of faithful love.

Psalm 86:15

Think

Our way of speaking about God reveals the relationship we have. It would not be unusual for us to be asked: Who is God for you? The answer cannot come from artificial intelligence or a dictionary, but from the heart. The psalmist uses three adjectives to qualify his experience with God: merciful, compassionate, and patient. Each says something powerful about God’s character.

Each person’s experience with God is unique. As one thinker said, “You cannot step into the same river twice.” Although the river may seem the same, the waters are constantly flowing, and it is ever-changing. This is how God is when we meet in various stages, cultures, and particular experiences. Everyone finds their own words, like the psalmist, that describe who God is for us. For some, God is a healer, for others a provider, and since God is all-embracing, God is all that and much more. Let us celebrate with others that God transcends every human boundary and approaches everyone with mercy, patience, and compassion.

Richard Rojas Banuchi

Question to Ponder:

Can I see how God loves the world in the same way that I feel God’s love?

Pray

God, thank you that I can see you in my life. Thank you that you have also revealed yourself to people in other latitudes, languages, and experiences. Amen.

Go

Recognizing that God has been present helps us live grateful lives.