In The Faces Of Others

What began as a humble conversation between two dear friends, these questions about God have opened a wonderful gift of communications encompassing people around the globe, from all demographics, that would not otherwise connect on a one to one basis. To be a small part of this is making my heart swell with the ache that comes when it grows and stretches as it opens to new things, places, people.

It is interesting to note, not everyone is choosing to participate. By their silence? They are still making a choice. Others, rather than share from their own heart are first asking for some sort of clarification, so they can give the "right" answer. A few ask to hear what others are saying, and some elect to share their views, and that is it to them, they have done their part by answering me once.

Of all so far, the people that tell me they are going to  pass the query along to ask someone else their views as well excite me! It's as if a God-wave has begun! In a time of microwaves, drivethroughs, and instant gratification.... in a world saturated by media and communications..... in an era where imagination and dreaming can be  a gasping, struggling art, it is so very warming when people get fired up about GOD and want to engage their fellows in a personal way!!!

Also of note, are the people that share not only their views of "the image of God", but that twine "how they see themselves" and do not separate the two concepts. Intriguing.

A few times, this last has brought me bittersweet pain, as certain dear souls spit out a torture they are feeling. Something about how they see God, stirs up their own needs and hurts. Then from their internal processes, they realize something of themsleves.  That they took the time to do the work to verbalize their views, even when laced with pain and Process? Just humbles me. I am so grateful to them for their courage and ask God to flow through me and others to help these precious people to connect and to heal. They are my teachers, and the lessons are flowing with a force that has me sitting back, seat belt OFF, taking it all in, surrendering it all to GOD, and then  reaching out to others, again.

A recurring theme to the responses, is to mention they see God in the faces of others, or in nature around us. It will be interesting to see how far this God-wave will develop. What questions and what answers will arise? It is exquisitely masterful handiwork of God to engage all of us in connecting through seeking to know HIM better.   It's such a God-thing for him to do, big smile!

Going through my day I pass many miles and people.

Purposefully looking into the face of others? Absorbing all senses of the Present Moment?

Looking into the face of God,
Jan M. Olsen

Pastor Hattabaugh writes:

Wow... this is really too deep - heavy for an email... I'm sure you're explanation will be enlightening... but I see Him in so many different ways... I guess it depends on when and what I'm going through or need at the time...? Make sense?
Ready for your enlightenment! :-)
MH
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Nanci writes:

When I "see" God, I do not "see" God. I refer, of course, to MY God....and I understand all people are different.

And there certainly is NOT another ME.

I feel God.

I feel God when Morgan smiles at me with total abandon. It is shocking sometimes. Tangible.

I feel God alot when I am immersed in nature. Too many times to list, as recent as this week-end with Glenn in Charleston when I foolishly tried to capture what I "see" with my Canon when the beauty is actually in my heart.

I have felt God many times when I am in the mountains, sitting on the porch and watching the trees move in the wind.

I sense God when I walk on the beach, total sensory overload.

I do not see God in my mind. Perhaps too many Jesus paintings on velvet. He is not the wizened old man, nor the carpenter, nor the babe in the manger to me. I smell commercialism and I gag.

God is, to me, the quiet, calm in my soul, in the moments when I own love, depth, and clarity of self and surroundings....and I feel at utter peace.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Allison writes:

I've been pondering your question for a few days, I may pass it onto Alan to put some thought into. The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that no one see's God.

  However, I think we can see God in things in our lives, not his image but his attributes such as love and innocence. For example a child who loves unconditionally and when asked to pray they pray with complete faith because they're not old enough to know dissapointment.

  Another example would be Sis. Nash, her love for people and her gift for making everyone feel special and warm all over. When she hugs you, you feel God. When we see the sunset, sunrise, mountains, trees, the ocean, in all of those things I see Him. To me it's impossible to look at His creation and not see Him.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Susana writes:

• Ive never seen God. But i c His beauty in nature.