The Image of God

Once, long ago, the Creator called for a gathering of all the angels at the center of the Universe. When all were gathered, a beautiful crystal globe was presented to the group. The Voice of the Creator spoke: "This globe is the Globe of Truth. A messenger is needed to carry the Globe of ...Once, long ago, the Creator called for a gathering of all the angels at the center of the Universe. When all were gathered, a beautiful crystal globe was presented to the group. The Voice of the Creator spoke: "This globe is the Globe of Truth. A messenger is needed to carry the Globe of Truth to a small planet located in the Milky Way Galaxy. This planet is called Earth." A young, rather brash angel raised his arm, volunteering for the task. Many were doubtful that he had the experience necessary for such an important task. He insisted that he was the one to take the Truth to Earth. He was chosen for the task. Careful instructions were given. In his excitement he only half listened.

At the appointed time, he flew off with the globe in his arms. After a time, he came upon the planet called Earth. It was beautiful. He felt both excited and honored to be the deliverer of Truth to this beautiful planet. He began his descent. As he descended upon the Earth plane he forgot that the Earth was spinning on its axis. The spin caused him to lose his balance as he landed. He stumbled, losing his grip on the globe. The beautiful globe hit a rock and shattered into thousands of pieces. A wind swept up the many tiny crystal shards and scattered them across the surface of the Earth.

Since that day, on every continent and island, upon every ocean and sea, men and women have been finding those shards, picking them up and saying, "I have found the Truth." And others would say, "No, I have the Truth." In reality, each has only found a part of the Truth, and no one has it all.

Many people believe they have found the way. In reality, these people have found their way, their truth. Lao Tsu had it right when he said: "Those who know, do not speak. Those who speak, do not know." To know God, or Source, is experiential and cannot be described adequately in words. To describe God is to limit God. We say that God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. Think about what those words mean. To be EVERYWHERE present, ALL knowing, and ALL powerful is beyond human comprehension.

The Bible states that we were created in God's image. Throughout history we have created God in our image. All descriptions of God are images or models. Even those who have a direct experience of God must resort to models or images to describe their experience of God. We cannot get our human minds around ALL THAT IS. So we create an image, something we can use. All images of God are shards from the crystal globe of truth. All images have validity for the person who makes use of their respective image. I pray to my Higher Self. Someone else prays to a benevolent father. Another prays to the Holy Spirit. None of us are wrong.

Many will claim that the God others worship is wrong. What they are really saying is that others should use their image and not their own. My recommendation is that you use your own. We each need an image of God we can relate to. As we grow spiritually the image changes and expands. When we approach the realm of true understanding we find that there is no accurate way to describe God. God is ineffable.

We are each in process, and we create a God that fits where we are. Spiritual growth is not about finding the correct version of God. There are times when your growth requires you to reject the God you have always known. When you are free of attachment to any doctrine you are open to increasing your understanding of God. It is not helpful to you if you reject the image of God someone else has. Judging the spirituality of others prevents you from growing. Allow others to experience their own process while your experience yours.

What do you need from your God? Is God a strict father? A loving matriarch? The Holy Spirit? Your Higher Self? A great spirit,? The ground of all being? An ever present energy? A Holy Presence? Choose that which fits you best. You need not follow the image created by another or those that have been promoted by a religious doctrine. At the same time there is always more to learn. Do not become too attached to your version of God. Attachment prevents you from growing spiritually. When you pray or meditate, allow yourself to be taught by opening your mind to inspiration.