In our quest to understand the divine, we often find ourselves grappling with misconceptions and misaligned perspectives. Just as ancient astronomers once believed the sun revolved around the Earth, we too can fall into the trap of viewing God through a distorted lens. But what if we could shift our perspective and see the truth of who God really is?
For centuries, humanity held onto the geocentric model of the universe, believing Earth was at the center of everything. It wasn’t until the 16th and 17th centuries that revolutionary thinkers like Copernicus and Galileo challenged this view, introducing the heliocentric model that placed the sun at the center. This paradigm shift fundamentally changed our understanding of the cosmos.
Similarly, our understanding of God can be clouded by misconceptions and incorrect assumptions. We may find ourselves questioning God’s presence, power, or goodness in the face of life’s challenges. But just as the Earth’s apparent stillness deceived ancient observers, our limited perspective can lead us to draw incorrect conclusions about the nature of God.
To truly know God, we must be willing to challenge our assumptions and adopt a new perspective. Here are three key shifts in thinking that can help us align our view with the truth of who God is:
1. God is at the center of everything, not us.
Colossians 1:16-17 reminds us, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
When we place ourselves at the center of the universe, expecting God and everything else to revolve around us, we set ourselves up for disappointment and frustration. Instead, we must recognize that God is the center, the vortex around which all of creation orbits. Our lives find their true purpose and meaning when we align ourselves with His will and design.
2. We need God; God doesn’t need us.
Acts 17:24-25 states, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.”
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that God somehow needs our service or that we’re doing Him a favor by following Him. The truth is, God is entirely self-sufficient. He invites us into relationship and partnership not because He needs us, but because He loves us and wants to involve us in His work. This realization should humble us and fill us with gratitude for His grace.
3. God is great, and we are not.
The Bible often describes humans as dust, mist, and clay. These metaphors serve to remind us of our frailty and dependence on God. Romans 9:20-21 asks, “But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?”
Recognizing our limitations and God’s greatness doesn’t diminish our worth; rather, it puts our lives in proper perspective. We are valuable because God values us, not because of our own inherent greatness.
As we adjust our perspective on who God is and who we are in relation to Him, we may find ourselves grappling with difficult questions. Why does God allow suffering? Why doesn’t He intervene in every situation? These are complex issues, but we must be careful not to make wrong assumptions based on our limited understanding.
The truth is, we live in a world affected by sin and human free will. While God is all-powerful and all-loving, He also respects the freedom He has given us. This means that sometimes, the consequences of human choices lead to pain and suffering. It’s not that God is absent or uncaring; rather, He is working even in the midst of our struggles to bring about good.
Romans 8:28 offers this powerful promise: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This verse doesn’t guarantee that everything will be easy or pleasant, but it assures us that God is always working for our ultimate good when we align ourselves with His purposes.
In the face of life’s challenges, we have a choice. We can push God away, blaming Him for our pain and disappointments, or we can draw near to Him, seeking His comfort, wisdom, and strength. James 4:8 encourages us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
As we cultivate a right perspective of God, making the assumption that He exists, cares, and has a plan, we open ourselves to experiencing His presence and power in our lives. We begin to see that even in our darkest moments, God is there, working to bring beauty from ashes and hope from despair.
The journey of knowing God is not always easy. It requires us to challenge our preconceptions, confront our doubts, and sometimes wrestle with difficult questions. But as we persist in seeking Him, we discover a God who is infinitely greater and more loving than we could have imagined.
So let us embark on this journey of discovery. Let us shift our perspective, realigning our lives with the truth of who God is. As we do, we may find that like those ancient astronomers who finally saw the true nature of the cosmos, our eyes are opened to the magnificent reality of a God who is at the center of all things, who loves us beyond measure, and who invites us into a relationship that transforms everything.
In the end, knowing God is not about having all the answers. It’s about trusting in His goodness, leaning on His strength, and allowing His love to shape our lives. As we do, we may find that the God we once misunderstood becomes the very foundation of our existence, the sun around which our lives joyfully orbit.