I think in pictures, not words.

You say “banana.” I think:

You say “lighthouse.” I think:

You say “week.” I think:

You say “God.” I think…well, here is where it gets confusing.

Sometimes, I think:

Other times, I think:

But the other morning, I thought:

To be honest, that morning God seemed so far away. I’m on earth with sin and struggles; He is in Heaven with perfection and worship. It seems like an endless sky separates me from Him.

When I feel far from God, I tend to make regulations that I must follow–cages that I must climb in order to reach God.

But Colossians 1:20-23 says:

If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in  self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

 

When I reflect on my self-imposed rules, I realize that this false asceticism is worthless. The rules may improve peoples’ opinions of me–she is so kind, so self-disciplined, so good–but no law of my own can move God closer to me.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. — Ephesians 2:8-9

God isn’t behind a fence that I need to climb or through a jungle that I must chop away. He is ever-present and ready to hear from his children.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. – Psalm 139:7-8

So when you say “God,” I cannot picture anything. He is not just a righteous Judge, or just a good Father, or just a gracious Savior. He cannot be defined by my finite imagination.  He is above all, before all, and beyond all that we can picture.

For  by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions 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. – Colossians 1:16-17