Often, we find ourselves pondering over a pertinent question – why doesn’t God make Himself more obvious? It’s a question that emerges from the depths of our hearts, especially in moments of distress, confusion, or isolation. The pursuit of answers takes us on an explorative journey through the scriptures, leading us to some profound revelations about God’s nature and His interaction with His creation.
Understanding God’s Nature: Beyond Human Perception
God, by definition, transcends human comprehension. As Christians, we believe God is infinite and limitless, while our minds, restricted by the finite nature of our existence, struggle to grasp such vastness. In the book of Isaiah, there’s a vivid depiction of the divine perspective that underscores our limitations in understanding the nature of God. God is described as high and lifted up, His ways and thoughts as far above ours as the heavens are above the earth (Isaiah 55:8-9).
This heavenly vantage point extends far beyond our human capacity to fully comprehend. Our tendency to seek tangible and obvious signs of God’s presence reflects our limited human perspective. We long for concrete evidence, but God is not confined to our physical realm, He operates beyond it. God’s nature embodies the spiritual realm which is beyond our sensory perception. We see this concept expressed in the book of John where it’s affirmed that God is spirit (John 4:24).
The lack of a physical form, however, does not imply absence. God’s omnipresence means He is everywhere and nowhere out of reach, as stated in the book of Psalms (Psalm 139:7-10). His essence permeates all of creation, yet, His ways remain largely inscrutable to us. This isn’t due to God deliberately hiding Himself, but a reflection of our limitations in perceiving Him.
Even though our human minds can’t fully grasp the immensity of God, our faith connects us to Him. In this sense, faith acts as a bridge between our finite understanding and God’s infinite nature. The book of Hebrews defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
Understanding the nature of God is fundamental to exploring the question of His apparent hiddenness. The infinite, limitless nature of God transcends our finite human understanding, hence God’s presence may not always seem obvious to us. Our longing for tangible evidence reflects our limitations in perceiving the divine. Despite this, our faith bridges the gap between our limited comprehension and the infinite nature of God. God’s omnipresence means He permeates all creation, yet His ways often remain inscrutable to us due to our inherent limitations.
The Role of Faith: Seeing Beyond the Obvious
Faith is a vital aspect of the Christian walk. It is the vehicle through which we connect with God. A question might linger in our minds, “If God is all-powerful and all-knowing, why doesn’t He simply manifest Himself in an undeniable manner?” While such a query is reasonable, it overlooks the essence of faith.
Faith doesn’t require physical evidence; it transcends it. It is a deep-seated trust in God, a profound conviction in His existence, His nature, and His promises. The book of Hebrews describes faith as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).
This doesn’t mean that faith is blind. Rather, it signifies a profound trust that goes beyond the tangible. It’s not merely belief without proof, but trust without reservation. This is illustrated in the story of Abraham, who, despite not seeing the entire plan, followed God’s call to leave his homeland, trusting in the promise of a great nation (Genesis 12:1-4).
Faith acts as a lens through which we perceive God. It does not necessitate God’s obvious manifestation in physical form, but encourages a relationship that is based on trust. The book of John indicates that blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29).
While God occasionally performs miracles and wonders, He mostly operates through subtle, everyday occurrences. Our faith enables us to see God in these instances, to understand His involvement in our lives and His love for us. In fact, the book of Romans affirms that God’s invisible qualities have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made (Romans 1:20).
Faith serves as a cornerstone of our relationship with God. Instead of requiring tangible evidence of God’s existence, faith encourages a profound trust that transcends the physical realm. It doesn’t advocate for blind belief, rather a trusting relationship that allows us to see God beyond the obvious. While God can perform overt miracles, He often operates in subtle ways, making His presence known through everyday occurrences. Through faith, we are capable of perceiving God in these moments, understanding His role in our lives and His continual presence.
God’s Revelation: Subtle but Constant
If God’s nature is beyond our human perception and understanding, how can we truly know Him? This is where the concept of divine revelation comes into play. Divine revelation involves God making Himself known to us. Despite God’s transcendence, He reaches out to us, desiring to be known and understood by His creation. This revelation isn’t always dramatic or obvious, but often subtle and constant.
Revelation occurs in various forms. One of the most significant ways God has revealed Himself is through Jesus Christ. In Christian belief, Jesus is the living Word, the perfect reflection of God’s character. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus reveals the heart of God: His love, His justice, His mercy, and His desire for reconciliation with humanity (John 1:1-14, Hebrews 1:1-3).
God also reveals Himself through His written Word, the Bible. It provides a narrative of God’s interaction with humanity, revealing His character, His purpose for creation, and His plan for redemption. In reading and studying the Bible, we encounter God’s voice, His instruction, and His guidance (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
God’s revelation is also apparent in the world around us. The intricacy and beauty of creation speak volumes about the Creator. The complexity of the universe, the order in nature, the diversity and richness of life — all point towards a masterful Creator (Romans 1:20).
God reveals Himself through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit speaks to our hearts, bringing conviction, guidance, comfort, and an assurance of God’s presence and love (Romans 8:14-16).
Divine revelation, the act of God making Himself known, serves as a pivotal means to understand God’s nature. This revelation occurs in different forms: through Jesus Christ who perfectly reflects God’s character; the Bible that narrates God’s interaction with humanity; the world around us that bears testament to a masterful Creator; and the inward witness of the Holy Spirit that assures us of God’s presence and love. Despite God’s transcendence, His desire to be known by His creation leads Him to reach out to us, subtly and constantly, through these channels of revelation.
Seeing Beyond the Veil
God’s seeming hiddenness can often puzzle us. Yet, through a deeper understanding of His transcendent nature, the role of faith, and the diverse ways in which He reveals Himself, we start to see that God isn’t as hidden as we might initially perceive. God’s revelation isn’t always grand or dramatic, but often subtle and continuous, found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the narratives of the Bible, the beauty and complexity of the world around us, and the inward witness of the Holy Spirit.
To further consider this topic, contemplate the following:
- How can your faith help you see God in the subtleties of everyday life?
- How might a better understanding of God’s transcendent nature affect your expectations of His revelation?
- How can studying Jesus’ life, reading the Bible, observing nature, and being receptive to the Holy Spirit enrich your perception of God’s presence?
The next time you find yourself asking why God isn’t more obvious, remember that His presence often reveals itself in the quiet whisper rather than the loud thunder. So, let’s listen closely, look carefully, and above all, trust deeply. After all, faith is the bridge between our finite selves and the infinite God. And it is faith that unveils the subtle, yet constant, presence of God in our lives.
