As children we believed, at least once a year, that our good deeds guaranteed us rewards; we also learned that our wrong-doing would result in the coal-in-the-stocking consequence. We logically concluded that we had the power to earn our Christmas gifts. However, the definition of a gift includes the understanding that we receive them because we are loved; a gift is not something we can claim to deserve. As we grew up we subconsciously we transferred to God the quid-pro-quo arrangement we had with Santa. Therefore, we call heaven a reward and assume we can gain entrance by our own efforts. We reinforce the Santa-God image by believing that God keeps a list of our nice and naughty acts. Adult faith moves us beyond the God of Rewards and Punishments to a God of unconditional love.
Adult faith in the God of love leads to inclusive welcomes rather than rejections; acceptance, attention, and compassion rather than mere tolerance. Adult faith changes our questions about God’s will and the existence of evil; how we pray and how God answers prayers, who we are and how we are saved, the existence of heaven, purgatory and hell. Adult faith turns our focus to the power, mercy and strength of God in our life and shows us that we are made worthy by God who is in love with us, and calls us beloved sons and daughters.
Why does our image of God matter?
If our belief in the Santa-God encourages us to do good deeds, why should we look for a different image? Who God is for us is vital because we become the God we worship. Who God is for us influences our call to serve the world. Our mission is to make God visible to those we meet. If we act like Santa-God, then we will have our list of who is good and worthy, and who is not. We will decide who is invited to our table and who must remain outside.
If we worship the God of unconditional love, we look beyond what can be seen and judged. When we have experienced the One who knows our heart we see with eyes of compassion and mercy. We learn how to forgive because we have heard Jesus say, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” Our God image matters because we become the face of God to the poor, the sorrowful, the marginalized and the outcasts. Our God image enables us to walk with a better God.