not a stereotypical God

It is important to challenge the stereotypical ways we tend to think about God—seriously and continually. Although God is omnipotent and omnipresent, He often chooses to act in ways that defy our expectations. For example, why would He choose to work through messengers (angels) when He could intervene directly? And why does Jesus, who is in direct communion with the Father, mention on several occasions that angels could come at any moment to rescue Him?

As the truths of the Bible are not presented in a systematic fashion, it becomes the task of every reader to put the puzzle pieces together. In those areas where the pieces are missing, one should consult what great authors and men of God have considered to be the most fitting explanations. This broader perspective on God may help us make sense of situations that seem absurd—such as experiencing an accident shortly after praying for protection.

And still, despite this broader and sometimes perplexing perspective, God remains present with the poor and the marginalized. He is still with a Hagar in the desert, a Hagar waiting for her child to die. He is still with a barren Rachel or Hannah. He is still in the midst of those surrounding a David, seeking his life. Despite David’s sin—a sin that cries out for justice—God was is there, looking beyond the adulterer, the killer, even the practical atheist that David had momentarily become when he sinned without regard for God.

So God is here—personally, or through His messengers, the angels. He is active, and so are His enemies, both earthly and spiritual. Perhaps these enemies are even more active, as unbelievers often seem to outdo believers in their zeal—albeit in the wrong direction. In the realm of faith, the world often sees more passionate efforts from those who deny God than from those who claim to follow Him.