How do you picture God?

​     How do you picture God?  If you were to draw a picture of God, or to describe Him, how would you do it?  Do you think of God as sitting on His Big Throne?  Is He smiling, frowning, laughing?  What is He saying and doing?
     In this Sunday's Scripture readings, we read in Psalm 146, 
"The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; 
the Lord lifts up those are bowed down; 
the Lord loves...cares...sustains"
    And in this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus heals a woman's daughter, and gives a deaf and mute man the ability to hear and speak.
    So God is not just sitting on a throne, looking down on us with only judgment or words.  He is the God of actions!  He is at work in all of creation.  His love and grace for all of mankind causes God to be working among and within us!
    This Sunday is "God's Work.  Our hands". the ELCA's annual day of service. Here at RLC we'll be making 100 bagged lunches for the Street Angels.  This is a a service that meets the needs of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Milwaukee County.  Three times a week, they send out two outreach buses loaded with hot meals, bag lunches, clothing, blankets and other basic supplies to those in need.
    So our efforts this Sunday is part of a year-round service to our community.  Which is good.  Because Christian service is not just a one day a year activity.  It is the continual response to faith and love.  Which first comes from God.  God certainly does not bring His love and grace only once a week or once a year.  He is ALWAYS searching for us, coming to us, continuing to shower us with HIs love and grace.
    You and I now are asked to follow Him, imitating His love for all people.  And God promises to be working in and among us.  And while it may sometimes feel like hard work, it really is the natural response to faith and love that comes from God.
     Just a child likes to imitate a parent or a favorite adult, so we follow and serve the God who serves and works among and through each and every one of us.
May God bless us throughout the year of service and love for all.
 
In God's peace,
 
Pastor Steve