"A Drawing Lesson" by Angie Fuller

Get a blank piece of paper and some crayons. Now draw a picture of God.

…If you’re like me, your paper is still blank. I’m initially hindered by both my lack of drawing skills and my Type 1 need to be satisfied with my picture. But pressing on, my obstacles become questions: How do I portray God’s majesty and power? God’s love? God as creator? God within the Trinity? And if we are made in the image of God, then does God look…?

This task was given to various children in different cultures by Dave Csinos, a theologian and teacher in faith formation with children and youth. The task had two parts, though. When children were finished, or sometimes while they were still drawing, Csinos said, “Tell me about it.” The children’s descriptions revealed much about not only how they viewed God, but also how their beliefs were formed. Some pictured God in heaven, others on earth. Some noted that God is very large compared to humans or neither male nor female. Some portrayed God wearing sandals or surrounded by panes of glass. Although Csinos often preferred to conduct this exercise individually, he was struck by how children’s thoughts were enriched by the dynamics of small groups – as children talked with each other, they would think even more about what they believed about God and why. When one child heard a friend describe God striking humans with a lightning bolt every time they lied, it led to a lengthy discussion that further shaped their ideas of God’s love and holiness.

As adults we’ve had a lot of experiences that have colored our view of God (pun intended). Do we see God as an indifferent relative? Expert puppeteer? Angry judge? Kind grandfather? Wish granter? Scolding parent? Creative artist? Greedy King? Loyal friend? Ethereal presence? Well-known Biblical characters surely had differing views, as well. Adam may have first considered God as a garden companion. The children of Israel could have viewed God as a volcanic mountain. Moses and Isaiah had experiences with God seeming radiant and glorious. David might describe God like a shepherd. John would use the words “light” and “love.”

So, why does my picture of God matter? While it’s true that we’ll all wait until heaven to glimpse an accurate picture of God, the image in my head affects how I live. It naturally affects my relationship with God, but it influences my relationships with others, as well. I hope I am forming what Brian McLaren calls a “strong, benevolent faith.” A faith that is unbreakable at its core, but flexible enough to avoid labeling others’ pictures of God as “right” or “wrong.” I believe God has room for spiritual diversity and wants us to listen to and question each other. There are absolutes, for sure – tenets of my faith on which I will not waver. But when challenged, I hope my response can always be, “Tell me more about what you believe.”

My picture still looks better in my head than on paper, but it includes a lot of white light, strong but tender hands, smiling eyes with a knowing twinkle in them… Tell me more about what you’re drawing.