How do these things happen?!?!

I have a great fascination with the TV show, "How It's Made" on the Science channel. It is pretty cool to go behind the scenes and see how ordinary everyday products that we hold in our hands are manufactured. Automated factories churn out gadgets at alarming speed and with amazing accuracy. Products of all kinds are skillfully forged, fused, and stitched together by hands of artisans and the end results are incredible. In some settings, closely guarded secret formulas and processes are keep from the camera to prevent copy-cat products being made. Tucked between segments of the show are advertisements for other shows promoted by the channel with the tag line, "Question everything!"

Okay, I will. Is there a God? How can I be certain God exists? If God exists, where does God reside? Can I see God? Why are so many people in the world believers in God? Why are there so many people who don't believe in God? Is God necessary for me? Does my life have more significance with or without God? .......??????????????????????????.......

Questions abound in millions of folks and range from the complex to the absurd.

Here is a short list of what I know of God according to the Holy Bible. Yes, the same book that reveals God and godly nature to us from Genesis to Revelation. God is spirit, but was revealed and continues to be seen in the person of Jesus Christ.

"He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were

created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers

or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:15-16, NIV)

God is creative. Don't believe me, just look around you. Have you ever seen such diversity and complexity in each person and in creation?

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature

—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without

excuse. "(Romans 1:20, NIV)

God is love as born out in endless pursuit of the nation of Israel throughout the Old Testament. The same chosen nation of God that continued to reject and sin against God. God's pursuit convinces me of a great love and informs my theology to believe God loves me in the same way.

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I

have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22, NIV)

God, once a mystery, is now known through Christ Jesus.

"Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that

is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this,

then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made

known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy

apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with

Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his

power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to

the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration

of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was

that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers

and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in

Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and

confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are

your glory. (Ephesians 3:3-13, NIV)

In all and through all of our lives, God is working. Sometimes we are aware and other times not so much if even at all. Prevenient grace, a Wesleyan approach to theology helps us understand God is always busy forming, forging, fusing, and stitching us together with Jesus and with other people.

Believe it!

It's How we are made and faith is formed.