I came across this quote the other day and can’t stop chewing on it. If it is true, why would our view of God be sooo important? Hmmm… I think first and foremost it isn’t saying what we state as our theological creed about God is the determining factor. It is a gut thing that really forms us. When all our fancy language is peeled away, what do we think about You, God? And feel? And choose to act upon as a result? Are You approachable? Loving? Fatherly? Judgmental? Vengeful? Involved…or indifferent to our plight in life? I can see how these varying views would determine very different responses in how we move toward You, or away from You. And how we view ourselves in light of how we view You. Am I loved in-spite of my flaws and failings? Or rejectable and shameful? Is my self-worth balancing precariously on today’s ever-changing score card or a done-deal in my adoption papers as a your child? I am likely becoming more similar to my perception of You than I think. Soooo, I want that perception to be true, uplifting, worthy of imitation and empowering to the formation of a me that matters for good. Maybe that is as simple as fixing my eyes on Jesus for the most accurate, incarnated rendition of Who You are! “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (Jn. 14:9) A bogus claim? Or the best data available about which to form our all important view of You?