While I posted this in my other blog, I wanted to share this here. Maybe then I can just refer to God as I do in my thoughts and prayers. This way I don't have to dance around the pronouns and have my words flow more naturally.
Over the years, I've come to realize that God is not the Father-Son-Spirit in the way I learned as a child. There is Yeshua/Jesus who is both fully human Son as well as truly One with God. But God "the Father" isn't some old, white-haired, white-bearded guy sitting on a cloud or golden throne far over our heads looking down to watch us. And the Holy Spirit is not some red flame burning in a candle holder bracketed to the wall of the church.
These are illustrations. They are metaphors. These are simple ways to explain to a child what God is.
I am no longer a child.
God is UNKNOWABLE. God is so far outside our comprehension that we can never achieve anything close to knowing what God is.
But we can and do experience various parts / manifestations / touches / expressions of God. Many of these have found their ways into the various religions of humanity. But these are, in themselves, not the full understanding of God.
While I am Christian and grew up with Catholic teachings about the Trinity, my understanding has grown and expanded to include this. Also my relationship with God has changed.
As a male human, Yeshua/Jesus would relate to God as Father, which was the teacher, the protector and head of the family unit in His time. I've wondered if the old, white-bearded image we have of God the Father is a reflection of some wise Rabbi-like image from Christ's days here.
But God is not male. God is not female. God is neither and both simultaneously. (Wrap your head around that a moment).
Now, as a female human, I do have the concept of God the Father when I pray, listen and speak with God at times. But I grew up in the late 20th century America, a world where women played as much a dominant role in the workplace and homes, sometimes the only role model in some families.
Plus, let's face it, it's hard to speak to a Father about my first menstrual period, my experiences with a pregnancy, the agony of a miscarriage, the "squishyness" of a mammography, pain from ovarian cysts, concerns over cervical cancer, fears and fatigue around my fully hysterectomy, and gripes about natural changes and the roller-coaster of menopause. That is better suited to sharing with a Mother.
Yeshua/Jesus called God "Abba", which more precisely translated is "Daddy". To me, God is both Father and Mother. But "O Holy Parent" is a bit distant and formal. Not something I could hold dear in my heart.
So I chose "Pari" which is a familiar, child-like shortening of "Parent" akin to "Mommy" and "Daddy".
-ESA
Over the years, I've come to realize that God is not the Father-Son-Spirit in the way I learned as a child. There is Yeshua/Jesus who is both fully human Son as well as truly One with God. But God "the Father" isn't some old, white-haired, white-bearded guy sitting on a cloud or golden throne far over our heads looking down to watch us. And the Holy Spirit is not some red flame burning in a candle holder bracketed to the wall of the church.
These are illustrations. They are metaphors. These are simple ways to explain to a child what God is.
I am no longer a child.
God is UNKNOWABLE. God is so far outside our comprehension that we can never achieve anything close to knowing what God is.
But we can and do experience various parts / manifestations / touches / expressions of God. Many of these have found their ways into the various religions of humanity. But these are, in themselves, not the full understanding of God.
While I am Christian and grew up with Catholic teachings about the Trinity, my understanding has grown and expanded to include this. Also my relationship with God has changed.
As a male human, Yeshua/Jesus would relate to God as Father, which was the teacher, the protector and head of the family unit in His time. I've wondered if the old, white-bearded image we have of God the Father is a reflection of some wise Rabbi-like image from Christ's days here.
But God is not male. God is not female. God is neither and both simultaneously. (Wrap your head around that a moment).
Now, as a female human, I do have the concept of God the Father when I pray, listen and speak with God at times. But I grew up in the late 20th century America, a world where women played as much a dominant role in the workplace and homes, sometimes the only role model in some families.
Plus, let's face it, it's hard to speak to a Father about my first menstrual period, my experiences with a pregnancy, the agony of a miscarriage, the "squishyness" of a mammography, pain from ovarian cysts, concerns over cervical cancer, fears and fatigue around my fully hysterectomy, and gripes about natural changes and the roller-coaster of menopause. That is better suited to sharing with a Mother.
Yeshua/Jesus called God "Abba", which more precisely translated is "Daddy". To me, God is both Father and Mother. But "O Holy Parent" is a bit distant and formal. Not something I could hold dear in my heart.
So I chose "Pari" which is a familiar, child-like shortening of "Parent" akin to "Mommy" and "Daddy".
-ESA
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