We are more than our parts. I’m more than a husband, I’m a father; more a lover of people; I’m a lover of God. As much as you can describe me as spiritual, I’m a follower of the way of Jesus. It’s hard to squarely fit anyone into a box.
I remember when I got engaged. I called close friends and family and told them I had met the woman of my dreams. Among the nice exchanges they would often ask me to tell them about Summer. It was easy to list off the endless attributes that made her so desirable, but I often felt the picture conveyed somehow reduced her, because she was so much more then her features, qualities, and reputation.
We have a close friend who introduced a Mexican holiday to us a few years ago called, “The Day of The Dead.” Yeah, I was a little apprehensive about the holiday too, until we attended. It was a night more about life then death. It was about remembering those who made tremendous influence on our life. Often you find pictures, clothing, art that reminded people of their loved one. Even then the pictures couldn’t communicate the depth of these people. The framed pictures were icons for more. Ask anyone about their item (picture, art, etc) and you see their countenance change. You eyes light up, voices change, and stories begin to explain who the person in the picture was - much more then the sum of the parts.
God spoke through a prophet named Isaiah about people taking up idols because they needed something visual to connect with God. Throughout scripture we find God illusive to images, because He is more than a statue, wood cravings, and symbols. Recently, I have wrestled with a question from God in Isaiah 46.5 which reads, “…Can you picture me without reducing me?” God is love and love is beyond images, words, icons. Like the love I have for my wife, she is more than I can communicate. Like a picture of a loved one, it’s not the picture, but what the picture represents.
One of lives biggest problems is God doesn’t show up in person and reveal himself. Even when He did, it was as human and required faith, not evidence. Many people demand, “God, just show me your real and I’ll believe.” Throughout the gospel Jesus testified that He has and we still didn’t believe - and won’t. Why? Because God cared enough to not take away the wonder of whom He is with magic tricks and superhero stunts. He continues to put that responsibility in our hands. We are to reflect His image, live out his kingdom of love, and be evangelist of hope.
Can you picture God without reducing Him?
Speaking of someone who serves, I want to endorse a friend who designed Graceland’s website. James Hafner has been a friend of the McCool’s for years now. He is more then a friend because he has been apart of many important moments our life. He photographed our first Christmas card in our home, Summer’s pregnancy pictures, and Tatum’s first professional shot - plus he has great taste in music.
