“God” is a title, just as “President” is a title, but both the President and God have a personal name. What is God’s name? In the Bible alone we see many names he has gone by—Yahweh, Almighty Lord, Alpha and Omega, I AM, Jehovah, Creator of Heaven and Earth, etc. This was one of the first questions I asked of God, and I was told that even if his name was written as a series of numbers, by the time I got done saying it, it would be wrong. Why? Because God continues to change and expand, and that is the nature of Love. God is neither male nor female, but has maternal and nurturing qualities as a woman does, and the protective and supportive qualities that a man does. Most people refer to God as male, and as a father figure, and this is what Christ did as well, which also reflects a desire to accept Love’s leadership or authority in our lives. So no matter if you call God Heavenly Father, Divine Love, The Big Guy, etc., it is not going to encompass all that he is; but to address him with love and respect, and to know the Love he stands for behind any name he is given. God knows what his full name is at every moment and all that it encompasses, the same as he knows our unique heart and spirit behind whatever name we may have been given at birth.
We were made in the likeness of God. What does this mean? We know that it goes way beyond the physical body. God doesn’t have flesh, hands, and legs. So what does it really mean to be made “in the image of God?” Simply put, we have the same spirit. As previously stated, we are each a spark off the Divine Flame, spirit created from Spirit, love from Love. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image … so God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them … and God blessed them …” (Genesis 1:26-28). Love has many facets, like a beautiful turning gem. Whenever we show compassion, mercy, kindness, empathy, encouragement, joy, happiness, forgiveness, peace, faithfulness, self-control, and any of the other attributes of love, we are expressing who we really are at our innermost being. That is why it feels so good to do these things, and is a part of fulfilling the purpose of why we are here: to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength ... (and to) love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30, 31). When we love, we remember who we are, who God is, and who our neighbor is. Once again, it is all about Love.
But how do we even know that God exists? He moves the leaves. What does this mean? God knows it’s difficult for us because he is invisible. We can’t see him. But microwaves, radio waves, gravity, the wind—all these are invisible too, yet we know they are there. How? By the things they do. We know the wind exists because it moves the leaves on the trees, and that helps us to know it is there and believe in what is invisible. This is why God has used physical signs and wonders all throughout time in every culture in every part of the world, supernatural things to show that he not only exists but desires to participate in our lives, and has the power to help, because he loves us.
Just as parables and illustrations have always been part of teaching about Love, so have miracles, healing, true prophecy, Holy stigmata, words of knowledge, intuitive gifts, visions, apparitions, near-death experiences, special dreams—all and more are opportunities for us to see and know that we are not alone, never have been, and never will be. The “proof is in the pudding,” as they say. In other words, God will always verify what is of him, and what is not, simply if we ask. Test it out. “Taste and see that God is good ...” (Psalm 34:8). Hold all things shared with you up to Love and see if your essence rings true with it. Ask in prayerful communication with God for validation, for him to let you know, and to express it in a clear and identifiable way so you will not miss it. Also use your God-given reasoning ability, any validation of personal evidence or empirical experience, and notice if the information makes positive changes and differences in your life.
So recognizing the core essence of God as unconditional love releases us from all fear, traditions or teachings that are not of divine origin, and helps us discern all things seen, experienced or heard by holding it up to see is of good and God, or not.
